When you think of love, who / what do you think of?

If you're anything like me, your mind might immediately go outward- kids, spouse, family, friends, animals, home, food, things, places...

For so long I didn't see me on that list, or in my minds frame when the word love surfaced. And for so long I suffered because of it.

Don't forget to put yourself on the list. Self-love is a buzzword these days featuring massages, girls trips, spa days...it doesn't have to be that..(though, that is all very nice) . It can be a glass of water in the morning. 5 minutes of quiet before your household wakes up with a warm cup of coffee or tea. A peek in the mirror with a gentle smile and reminder to yourself that "you know what, yea, I am so amazing and beautiful."

If you pause for 1 minute during the day, that is an act of self-love.

If you take a deep breath today, guess what, that is an act of self-love.

Tell yourself that.

It's necessary to tell ourselves that this one minute is monumental because we don't all have the same time or the same privileges.

We need to cheer ourselves on when we take a break because that is a deep act of self-love and that one minute of pause will reflect when we find a little more tenderness with our kids or spouses, when we are able to stay grounded during a big meeting at work or when we are able to stand tall facing any other challenge we inevitably have to face.

Self-love is anything that is simply making sure you are taken care of as well as the the people, places and things around you that require your attention and love. When we gift ourself this, we gift ourself a chance to respond to what is going around us a little more clearly and with more presence, less stress and less anxiety.

What if for the rest of the day (or week, or month) you frame every action you take, everything you watch, eat, read as an act of love for yourself, how will this shape your choices, how will this shape how you speak to yourself?

What if for the rest of the day, week or month you slow down?

We don't need to rush, we need to treat each action we are taking as an act of love towards ourselves, an act of love towards our bodies and minds.

I hope you can close your eyes for a moment today to gift yourself a moment of peace and love in honor of Valentine's Day today.

Sending a hug,

Steph