Happy Valentine’s Day
Love has many forms, Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate them all…
We often think of Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate romantic relationships. This can lead to sadness or disappointment if there isn’t a romantic partner in our life. However, there are no “rules” to Valentine’s Day. We can choose to celebrate the love we feel for anyone by showing friends and family how much they mean to us. No expensive gifts are needed; expressing our love through time spent together or letting someone know we are thinking of them, can mean so much more!
Celebrate Your Kids!: In the hustle and bustle of the day, we can often forget to tell our children we love them. A child can’t hear too often how loved they are. Here are a few simple ways to show your child you care:
Make Valentine’s card for your child. Put a picture of your child on it and write down all the things you love about them.
Make a Valentine’s Day craft with your child, and display it proudly!
Make cards together to send to loved ones who you know need their spirits lifted.
Set aside special time to shower your child with your attention- put your phone away, and forget about chores for a while!
Make a special meal or bake a Valentine’s treat together!
Make popcorn, cuddle on the couch, and watch feel good movies together.
Say, “I love you” if you haven’t in a while.
Create a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt for your kids. Hide treats with loving messages attached around the house. Make clues to help your kids find them.
For partners, friends and family:
Make it a point throughout the day to tell someone you love all the ways you appreciate them.
Make them a list entitled, I love you because………
Commit to spending time together- set up a regular schedule to do things together, and keep it.
Give them a break- Does your loved one need a break from their responsibilities for a while, or time to themselves? Help them by offering to babysit or to run an errand for them.
For YOU:
More than ever we need to practice self-love!
Write yourself a letter, describe all the things you love about yourself. It can be challenging to see all the good things in ourselves- but necessary to find contentment and to grow!
Write Positive affirmations on post-it’s- stick them on your bathroom mirror. Tell yourself how amazing and capable you are. Tell yourself all you can accomplish.
Set aside time for yourself: Self- care can make all the difference in our mental health. Self -care is never selfish, but instead makes us stronger. Read a book, listen to music, go on a walk, or call a friend. No need to wait for Valentine’s Day- find something each day that brings you joy, and do it.
Find your own ways to express your love; remember that although Valentine’s Day presents a special opportunity to tell those we love what they mean to us, we don’t have to wait for it to arrive to do so! Tell your loved ones as often as you can how much you love and care for them every day. Show yourself the same love you extend to others.