February is the month with the theme of love. More specifically, February 14th, Valentines Day. There was a meme that I saw on Facebook that asked the question “what are your plans for Valentine’s Day?” The response was something along the lines of I am going to work because it’s Wednesday. That was definitely my day. Most of the time I forgot what day it even was. I did however have moments when I thought of the word love.
I have always thought of love in terms of loving a person or receiving love from a person. There are also foods that I love; give me peanut butter and ice cream and I am all set! I love sunrises and sunsets and warm sunny days. I love a good cup of coffee while sitting on my comfy couch with a warm blanket and my dog. There is another part of love though that has not come easily and that is self love.
For the longest time, self love focused on my body and appearance. That was challenging since I all I saw were imperfections. So there was not much love going on there. I have been learning though that self love is not about my appearance, but instead how I take care of myself; how I show myself compassion. I was asked some questions a couple days ago that reminded me how I can show myself self love through a love poem. Here is what I wrote:
Today is an opportunity for me to lean into my truth.
I allow myself to feel confident.
I honor the courage it takes to be gentle with my imperfections.
Today I validate the part of me that is frustrated and angry and the importance of taking care of myself.
Today I will bring compassion and joy.
I will focus on my breath and stay focused on the present.
That is how I am choosing to show myself self love right now. I am also focusing on self care. After a rough week last week, I went out and bought myself a $5 decorative pillow that I have wanted. I am getting out of bed in the morning and taking care of my basic needs. I am allowing myself to just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in a coffee shop.
In what ways do you show yourself self love?
AdventuresOfATravelingOT 
For many years my life had been about focusing on others. I have loved living my life that way, but there has always been a shortage of time to take care of ME. I must point out that half of me is my wife; that just happens in the course of being together for 30 years. By then, Maryanne had 2 battles with head and neck cancer and had developed other chronic health issues.
Almost 4 years ago I decided to step away from the life I knew for so long to pay closer attention to my wife…and me. God has been good to let me have this season (maybe my last season?). I’m sitting by the fire with my coffee and my little dog, watching the birds at the feeder…and spending a half-hour responding to your question; that’s a half-hour I probably wouldn’t have taken 5 years ago. I think I rarely was intentional about loving ME. I’m enjoying it finally : )
Thanks for asking Jess!