Happy Love Month! I can’t believe how quickly the year is flying; it’s already February! This month we celebrate Black History, and we also celebrate Valentine’s Day. For many people Valentine’s Day can bring up negative feelings such as isolation or unworthiness as we see the world hyper fixate on romantic love. But there are so many types of love that we can have in this world, the most important being the love we have for ourselves. Here are a few ways that you can romanticize your life so you can receive the love you need.
- Wear All Your Things: We all do it. Save our good perfumes, save our clothes for a special occasion, only use certain plates or cups on birthdays or holidays. Every day is worth celebrating, and tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Spray that perfume when you’re just sitting in your home. Wear that new top that you were saving for who knows what? You deserve to live your life as the best version of you.
- Learn to do things alone: This is one that I am struggling with. There are so many things I see and want to do but tell myself that I’ll do it on a date or need to go with someone. The truth is I don’t, and the longer I wait for someone the opportunity might pass me by. I can enjoy these things by myself and then again with someone else.
- Do for yourself what you want someone to do for you: I love flowers. I buy flowers every time I go to the supermarket. It brings me joy to see them sitting on my table. A guy I once knew said it was sad that I had to buy myself flowers. I don’t see it as sad. I see it as loving myself in the way I want to be loved. Yes, it would be beautiful if I had someone in my life to buy me flowers, but what a waste it would be to live life without the things that bring me joy because there is no one there to do it for me.
- Be intentional with your space: I love candles and incense and sage and palo santo. Something is always burning in my apartment. I’ve developed a newfound love for jazz or soft lo-fi music to have in the background. I am continually trying to create an environment that speaks to who I am. Find what works for you. Create a new playlist or discover some new music. Visit that home goods store you’ve been passing for weeks and find something new for your home. You deserve to live in a space that brings you comfort and joy.
- Honor moments of stillness: In our ever-rushing world, holding space for stillness does not come easy. We’re taught that the most successful people are those who can multitask and make it look easy. But multitasking keeps us operating in a scarcity mindset and keeps our mind racing. Find moments in your day to just sit and be. Whether it’s in the morning for a few minutes with your coffee, or at the end of the day with a cup of tea. Create moments of being. No checking your to-do list or your phone. Just allowing your mind to relax and take in your surroundings. If you can do it outside even better!
I hope these tips help you to find ways to start romanticizing your life. I would say the best way to start is to ask yourself what you need more of and start there. Share your best tips to romanticize your life in the comments below. Here’s to a month and year filled with love and intentionality!