Whitney Houston

Happy Valentine’s Day! Over the last week, I’ve been sharing my thoughts about love on Facebook Live. If you missed the first few, don’t worry! You can catch up with all of them by visiting my Facebook page. I’ll continue my daily love broadcast, “28 Days of Love,” throughout the month of February. We’ll talk about love in all its wonderful forms, romantic love, familial love, unconditional love, love of pets, and what I (just like the song says) believe is the “greatest love of all”- loving yourself. 

If you want to experience a life filled with love, start by loving yourself. 

Self-love is essential to leading a happy life. When you accept and truly love yourself for exactly who you are, you operate in the highest, most natural vibration. Sustaining that vibration is the key to attracting love – all kinds of love – effortlessly! 

Are you searching (too hard) for romantic love?
So many people spend their time looking for love, searching for their soulmate, and kissing a lot of frogs in the process. When you’re single, social media can make you feel like everyone else is madly in love and living life in a Hallmark movie, and online apps make finding a partner seem as easy as flipping through a catalog. But social media is a place where people present the rosiest version of their lives, and as for dating apps – did I mention kissing a lot of frogs? 

Like so many things in life, the harder you try, push, and strive, the more love seems to elude you.  Paradoxically, if you’re content and comfortable in your own skin, you’re much more likely to attract a partner. 

What does it mean to love yourself?
First, let me remind you that there’s nothing selfish or narcissistic about self-love. It just means accepting yourself for who you are, flaws and all. It means treating yourself with kindness and compassion instead of constantly criticizing and belittling yourself. It means taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and setting boundaries to protect your health and happiness. 

Self-love also involves acknowledging the talents and gifts that make you the unique, special person you are. It means giving yourself permission to pursue the passions and interests that light you up – rather than trying to please and impress other people. 

What’s holding you back?
Many people struggle with self-love because they have internalized negative messages from their past experiences and relationships. Overcoming these beliefs and learning to love yourself requires patience, and a willingness to challenge negative self-talk and break old destructive patterns.

So how do you turn things around? 

One effective way to practice self-love is to create a positive ritual, like repeating daily affirmations, journaling, meditating, or spending time in nature. 

The first step to a healthy, happy romance!
Attracting love from others starts with loving yourself, Not only that, but when you build a romantic relationship on a foundation of self-love, it’s going to be a better one! 

Here’s why…  

When you have a positive self-image, you’re less likely to settle for less than you deserve in a relationship. You’re more likely to attract healthy, loving relationships because you’re confident in your worth, able to set boundaries, and will less likely to tolerate toxic or abusive behaviors.

Moreover, when you love yourself, you are less likely to cling to relationships out of fear of being alone or rejected.  You have nothing to worry about, because you have such an abundance of love in your life, along with an amazing best friend – you! 

Yes, you can be your own best friend. Start by looking at yourself with rose-colored glasses and observe all the special, wonderful things about yourself. Don’t be shy! Write down ten things that you love about YOU today and make that a regular practice. 

Help yourself and others live the very best life possible!
I’m starting up another session of my Spiritual Life Coach Certification Course, and I can’t wait to help you on your journey to love yourself, live your best life – and maybe even start a fulfilling career helping others to live theirs. The course begins with a live call with me, on February 15th! If you’re called to coaching, I can’t think of a better Valentine to give yourself.