Hi folks!
Another Monday is here.
And so is post number 295.
And you know what?!
That means not only is March right around the corner, but so is St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Summer, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
I mean the fact that we are almost at the end of February already is insanity.
Like, actual insanity.
You heard it here first.
Or your money back guaranteed.
Also, I was eating peach rings while writing this, but certainly not 295 of them.
Anyhoo, I digress.
So unlike me, right?!
Like, off brand as we would say.
Anyhoo, onward and upward.
How thankful and grateful I am that you all continue to come back week after week to read these words.
I hope that you continue to feel a level of hope, love, kindness, and inspiration.
Especially in the times we are living.
This past Friday, we celebrated what some call “singles awareness day” where posts of significant others were all over the internet.
Did I puke little chocolate hearts?
Maybe a little.
Okay, I’m being dramatic.
I mean, honestly I wouldn’t be opposed to Ryan Reynolds, Jonathan Bailey, Zac Efron, or some other hunky celebrity to swoop in and be my signicant other for the day.
Anyhoo, I digress.
AGAIN.
Among this day of love, I want to re-iterate the most important type of love that we all need to remember.
And that is “self love.”
It is more important now than ever as we continue to live in a society (rather an unrecognizable world) where we can get easily burned out, experience compassion fatigue, and feel the need to shut down.
Oh.
In case you didn’t know…
YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL.
YOU. ARE. WORTHY.
YOU. ARE. LOVED.
And if you are struggling personally with these above mantras, I would encourage you to take just a few minutes out of your upcoming days this week to practice the following self love practices:
- Close your eyes and take deep breaths of inhaling and exhaling for 10 minutes.
- Take 5 minutes of gratitude journaling.
- DND your phone at a set time every night where it can just be you without disturbance, ringing, or buzzing.
- Take a hot shower.
- Splurge on your favorite dessert. (Yes, have the second piece of cake, extra scoop of ice cream, or handful of gummies).
- Cuddle with a blanket/pet/Squishmallow.
- Watch your favorite Disney movie.
- Enjoy your favorite adult cocktail beverage (or mocktail).
- Spend time with family/people you love and that bring out the best in you and match your vibe.
- Spend that extra few dollars on a guilty pleasure.
- Laugh. Literally laugh.
- Put your favorite song on full blast and dance around the house.
- Scream into a pillow.
- Share kindness with a stranger.
- Give yourself grace because no one is perfect and self-love is not a one size fits all equation.
Oh, in case you forgot already…
YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL.
YOU. ARE. WORTHY.
YOU. ARE. LOVED.
Please make sure that you are taking care of yourselves and sprinkling some extra self care and love into your life.
The above list are just suggestions, but things that I try to practice consistently with myself and my life. Self-love is not a one size fits all equation and will look different for everybody.
But do yourself a favor,
Love yourself first.
Listen to your body.
Listen to your needs.
You. Deserve. It.
And you are beautiful, worthy, and loved.
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 