Turning V-Day into U-Day: Self Care Tips for Valentine’s Day

It’s almost Valentine’s Day!

This holiday is always tricky for me as an aspiring minimalist because I really don’t like “stuff for stuff’s sake.” Sometimes flowers are nice, but they seem like a waste of money to me because they die in a few days (Side note: I do enjoy potted plants, despite my sad, dying succulent on my desk), and I’m not eating sugar very much because it turns me into a fiend, so chocolate’s out. Please do not buy me the 6′ tall Costco teddy bear either – a cat will just pee on it. 

Valentine’s Day feels like obligation to shower someone with useless stuff you wouldn’t normally buy… and that just feels odd to me. 

Let’s not do that this year. Let’s take care of our own damn selves. We give to others daily, we pour ourselves into those we love, our job, even strangers. When is the last time you poured yourself into…you?

This Valentine’s Day, I’m issuing a challenge. I double dog dare you to make February 14th* all about you. How is your relationship with yourself? Let’s fix that.

*Note: Valentine’s Day is a Wednesday so if you want to schedule this self-care day for the weekend, that’s great! Just commit to taking a day for yourself, guilt-free. 

Challenge 1:

Set a timer for 2 minutes. Make a list of things that make you smile – but nothing to do with doing something for other people. While those things are noble, that’s not what this is about this time. Here are a few of mine:

• Hanging out on the couch or in my hammock with the cats 
• Watching Jane the Virgin on Netflix 
• COFFEE
• Running
• Taking a hot bath while I browse Pinterest or read a book
• Eating yummy food (bonus points if I don’t have to cook it myself)

Challenge 2:

Now, I want you to make a list of things you have been wanting to do for yourself lately. These things, again, can include other people but cannot be FOR other people. Set that time for 2 minutes. Ready, set, go! Here is my list:

• Take an aerial yoga class 
• Get a massage
• Buy planner stencils for my bullet journal 
• Plan a lunch date with a friend 
• Plan a solo weekend getaway 

Challenge 3:

Now that you have two lists, what do you do with them? You’re gonna plan your Valentine’s Day self-care date. Take at least two items from list one and one item from list two and make a day of it. I give you permission to focus on you. Forget the world. This isn’t V-Day anymore, it’s U-Day!

Challenge 4:

Last but not least…. I want you to write a love letter to yourself. Yeah, I know this is cliche. You’ve heard this before, probably. Did you do it though? If you did, was it lately? Hang it on the wall. Use it as a bookmark in your book. Just keep it around so you can remember that you’re your biggest fan and you’re the only person whose validation and admiration you really need to be your best self.

Don’t focus on what you’d like to improve or change – this is a positive, love-based letter to yourself.

Here are some prompts if this feels awkward:

• I’m really proud of you for…
• Something I admire about you is…
• My favorite thing about your personality is…
• You’re amazing at…
• I can’t wait to see what you do with…
• You have a great butt!

You deserve this. Don’t let anyone else tell you’re selfish.

It’s okay to do stuff for you. It’s okay to set boundaries. It’s okay to say no.

Its okay to take care of you.