Whom Do You Love

We celebrate Valentine’s Day by telling others how much we love them, and it is a wonderful tradition. We want people to know how much they mean to us, how much we love and appreciate them. This year, in the flurry of red hearts, flowers and sweets, we have the opportunity to rethink this holiday that celebrates love. Here are two suggestions that may make this Valentine’s Day your best in years, and maybe even establish new traditions.

First, find time to write a Valentine letter to yourself. Yes, an old-fashioned, straight-from-the-heart, “love letter” to you! Please don’t laugh – this is a genuine suggestion. As you compose the letter, try not to filter what you write or type. No one but you will read it, so be effusive in expressing your love for who you are, for what you do, and for the unique qualities that make you the truly amazing person you are.

Second, make a Valentine’s Day date with yourself sometime over the next four weeks. Plan something that you love to do but for which you rarely (if ever) find time, even if it is just for an hour or two. Plan anything that would feel special to you – a walk in nature, reading a book while sipping a coffee or hot chocolate, listening to your favorite playlist all the way through, hiking, singing, dancing, drawing, baking – whatever you love to do. Make this Valentine “date” a high priority and stick to your commitment to do this special something just for YOU. You deserve it.

This year, as you send Valentine messages of love, affection and admiration to people in your life, put yourself at the top of the list.

Sending love, a hug and best wishes for a happy, loving Valentine’s Day!

The original version of this post appeared on this site in 2013 and when I re-read it last week, I decided to edit and repost it.