A few years ago, I started to view Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to love one another and ourselves well all week long. This seems especially pertinent for me this year, as one of my words for 2022 is love. Here are some simple ways to celebrate all kinds of love this week!
- Buy yourself a fresh bouquet of spring-inspired flowers.
- Write and mail a letter to someone you love – perhaps a friend or grandparent.
- Take a walk in nature and mentally list the things you love – the warm sun on your cheeks, the deep winter blue of the sky, the swoop of a hawk’s wings, anything.
- Make an effort to smile and say hello when you walk by someone.
- Tell a partner, parent, or friend something you love about them.
- Give an honest and specific compliment.
- Relax in your favorite way – maybe with a bath, a book, or a favorite TV show.
- Go to sleep at least a half hour earlier and relish in feeling an extra dose of refreshed the following day.
- If you live with someone else, leave a short and sweet note for them to find. It can be as simple as “I love you” or “I hope you have a lovely day.”
- At work and/or at home, intentionally help someone by offering to take something off their plate.
- Cook or bake yourself something easy and delicious. I’ve had my eye on these cookies.
- Visit or call a family member or friend you haven’t spoken with in a while.
- Get some soothing body cream; apply it and give yourself a little massage to soothe dry or tired hands and feet.
- Give your pet – or a pet you know – a little extra love and snuggle or a special treat (not that they aren’t already getting plenty of these things!).
- If you have plants, show them a little TLC by pruning away any dead/dying leaves.
- Wear an outfit that makes you feel good, and take a little more time getting ready – curl your hair or add a special dash of lipstick.
- Take the time to give a long hug to someone you love or someone who might need it.
- Plan a special date night or girls night for the upcoming weekend.
- Cook and share a meal with someone special to you.
- Think and say kind words to yourself and others.
Which of these actions might you take soon? I hope your Valentine’s Day week is full of love!
P.S. A week of love bingo board and a cozy Galentine’s gathering.
