The Art of Self-Love: Beyond Chocolate and Face Masks

As Valentine's Day just passed, our social media feeds fill with images of heart-shaped chocolates, luxurious spa treatments, and perfectly curated self-care routines. While these indulgences have their place, true self-love runs much deeper than these surface-level gestures.

As Brianna Wiest wisely notes in her transformative work "The Mountain Is You," "True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don't need to regularly escape from." This profound insight cuts to the heart of what genuine self-love entails – it's not about temporary escapes, but about creating a life that feels like home.

Self-love is embracing all versions of yourself – who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming. It's about looking in the mirror and acknowledging both your triumphs and your scars, understanding that each experience has shaped you into the person you are today. Your past mistakes aren't failures to be ashamed of; they're lessons that have made you wiser, stronger, and more compassionate.

Wiest also reminds us that "The greatest act of self-love is to no longer accept a life you are unhappy with." This isn't about dramatic gestures or radical changes – it's about making conscious choices each day that align with the life you want to create. It's about having the courage to examine your relationships, habits, and daily routines, and asking yourself: "Is this serving my growth, or holding me back?"

The truth is, the people and habits in your life either push you forward or pull you down – there's rarely a middle ground. Each day presents countless small choices that compound over time. That morning walk you've been putting off, the boundary you need to set with a toxic friend, the creative project you've been dreaming about – these aren't just items on a to-do list, they're building blocks of your future self.

Forgiveness plays a crucial role in this journey. Holding onto past hurts – whether they're directed at yourself or others – is like carrying around heavy stones that weigh down your spirit. Our days on this earth are numbered, so why spend them burdened by things we cannot change? The past is gone, but the present moment is alive with possibility.

This Valentine's Day, instead of just treating yourself to chocolates or a spa day (though there's nothing wrong with either!), consider giving yourself the gift of intentional self-love:

Start building that life you don't want to escape from. Take one small step toward a goal you've been postponing. Have that difficult conversation you've been avoiding. Clean out your space – both physical and digital – of things that no longer serve your growth.

Remember, self-love isn't a destination but a daily practice. It's in the quiet moments when you choose yourself, in the gentle way you speak to yourself when you make a mistake, in the boundaries you set to protect your peace, and in the dreams you dare to pursue despite your fears.

You deserve a life you are excited to live – not just on Valentine's Day, but every day. The journey starts with accepting yourself exactly as you are, while loving yourself enough to become who you're meant to be.

Today is a perfect day to begin. <3

Pro tip! Begin each day by writing down three aspects of yourself you're grateful for – include both characteristics and accomplishments, and create a "joy inventory" by noting activities that genuinely energize you versus those that drain you. Last but not least, here are some journaling prompts for you :)

• What past mistake am I still punishing myself for? Write a letter of forgiveness to yourself.

• What grudges or resentments am I carrying? How are they affecting my present happiness?

• Describe your ideal day in detail – not a vacation, but a fulfilling regular day.

• How has my relationship with myself evolved? What positive changes do I notice?

• What old habits or relationships have I outgrown? What new ones am I cultivating?
  

  

Ft. me and my beloved Kindle scribe

With love,

Jinny xx