My Healthyish Life

Finding balance in food, fitness and life

  • Home
  • About
  • Wellness
  • Fitness
    • Running
      • My Running Story
      • Races
    • Spinning Playlists
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Disclaimer and Privacy Policy

Treat Yourself Like Your Valentine

02/12/15 | Holiday, Life, Thoughts

Valentine’s Day has never been my favorite holiday, but I’m not against it either. I’m not one of those people who gags at the sight of romantic gestures or throws anti-Valentine’s Day parties. I’m not one who dismisses the holiday and says “everyday is Valentine’s Day,” but I agree that showing and giving love should be a daily thing.

Whether you’re single (hand-raised) or have a significant other, we all have relationships. Family, friends, co-workers, classmates, running buddies, etc. Yet the one we often dismiss or neglect is the relationship with ourselves. Guilty as charged.

Thanks to Amanda for hosting this awesome link-up and letting me ramble Think Out Loud.

Source

Source

I’ve gotten better over the years but I still struggle with treating myself fairly and lovingly. Meaning, I sometimes judge myself. I sometimes criticize myself. I don’t give myself enough credit for things and I compare myself to others.

Treating yourself in a loving way is more than exercising and eating healthy, although those are extremely important. We have to nurture the whole person. Our minds, spirits and passions. It sounds dramatic but stay with me…

Heart shaped sushi

Valentine’s Day themed sushi <3

Would you judge your friend the way you judge yourself? Would you think less of a friend who took a “mental health” day and stayed on the couch instead of going to work and/or working out? Would you dismiss a friend’s accomplishment as luck rather than handwork? No, no and no.

Then why do we do those things to ourselves? Why do I do those things to myself? 

I wish I knew that answer.

I’m learning to give myself a break. I don’t have to be the best but instead MY best…whatever “best” may mean that day. I don’t feel guilty for “indulging” in the things I like. I try to carve out “me time” to do the activities I want, which some days involve napping.

Source

Source

This Valentine’s Day, along with appreciating your loved ones with love, show YOURSELF some love. Buy that special Starbucks drink you always crave but don’t order, take a walk to get some Vitamin D, buy flowers for your table, sit in silence and let your mind wander, watch your favorite trashy television show or cook yourself a delicious dinner. Remind yourself that you’re awesome (because you are).

Whatever you do, do it with love and do it for you.

How do you show yourself love?

Valentine’s Day..love or hate?

« Learning to Love the Kitchen
Valentine’s Day Spin Playlist »

Comments

  1. Krystal says

    February 12, 2015 at 7:59 am

    Great concept Emily! I agree with you, I don’t love Valentine’s Day yet I don’t hate it either. I like to show myself love by getting a massage once a month or indulging in that scrumptious dessert every once in a while when out to dinner with friends.
    Krystal recently posted…My Favorite Fitness AppsMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Getting a massage is one of my favorite ways to show myself some love. You gave me the great idea of scheduling one!

  2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    February 12, 2015 at 8:47 am

    We are all hard on ourselves sometimes! We will always be, but that’s okay! As long as we love ourselves (more) of the time! I like V-Day! I think it’s sweet even if you don’t have a romantic partner!
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Peanut Butter Puff GranolaMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:35 pm

      It is a sweet holiday and doesn’t have to be about romance. Self-love all the way :)

  3. pickyrunner says

    February 12, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day (this is technically the first time I’ve been in a relationship for it) but I agree that it’s a great holiday to focus on loving yourself. That’s the most important person you can love and it’s the one we overlook the most. I just don’t think we need a holiday to buy random presents, but I’ll never turn down the chocolate ;)
    pickyrunner recently posted…ExcitementMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:17 pm

      Well said ;) I can never say no to a little gift from a loved one. Have a blast in the city!

  4. Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says

    February 12, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    I think it is so important to show ourselves love, and Valentine’s day is the perfect time to be reminded of. I definitely planning on indulging in some chocolate and doing things I enjoy. Loved this post Emily!
    Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Workout Playlist + BangBandsbyLinnyMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:17 pm

      That sounds perfect <3

  5. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    February 12, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    Great post, girl! I’m neither here nor there with Valentine’s Day either, but I love what you said about treating yourself as kindly as you treat other people. I’m definitely a lot harder on myself than I am on other people, and while I’ve gotten better at it over the years, it’s still a constant work in progress… but at least we’re going in the right direction :)
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #117 .My Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks, Amanda! I agree…I’m a world of a difference from how I was in high school. Happy Valentine’s Day!

  6. Melanie says

    February 12, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    My hubby and I do not celebrate Valentine’s Day. We never had. Seems so clichè and we make a point of loving and treating each other nicely all year not just one day because we’re supposed to. We celebrate Feb 13th, our dating anniversary instead. :)
    Melanie recently posted…Thinking Out Loud ThursdayMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:15 pm

      Very convenient dating anniversary! Happy anniversary :) I’m all for special little gifts throughout the year.

  7. Emily @ Sweets and Beets says

    February 12, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    Love it! Last year on Valentine’s Day, I instagrammed a quote that was similar — “you have to remember to love yourself first.” PS – holller for being single on Vday! I don’t resent it or anything, and I’m having Palentine’s Day with a girlfriend! : )
    Emily @ Sweets and Beets recently posted…Throwback Thursday – Cooking StyleMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:14 pm

      AMEN. That sounds better than going to a fancy restaurant anyway!

  8. Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says

    February 12, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    I can take or leave Valentine’s Day, but I am all for treating yourself as kindly as you would treat a friend! And, admittedly, that’s something I’m working on!
    Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Thinking Out Loud # 7: Pinterest PicksMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:13 pm

      Yep, we need to all be our own best friends. Hope you treat yourself to something nice this weekend :)

  9. Pragati // Simple Medicine says

    February 12, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    I don’t mind VDay; growing up my mom always made it special so I associate it more with love than a relationship. It can be hard to treat yourself as a friend. I know I struggle with that too!
    Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…The Fit Bit FailureMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:12 pm

      My mom was/is the same way. I loved waking up to a little note and gift on the breakfast table.

  10. Allie says

    February 12, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    Such a good message! We are all so hard ourselves and forget how important it is to rest and just enjoy life.

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:12 pm

      Right?! No need for the constant go-go-go or self-judgment. Hope you have a relaxing weekend :)

  11. Lauren says

    February 13, 2015 at 10:34 am

    Such a great message. I mention something similar in my blog post for day! There aren’t enough reasons to celebrate love in the world!
    Lauren recently posted…Treat Yourself to DuClaw’s Naked Fish Chocolate Raspberry Stout this Valentine’s DayMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 13, 2015 at 5:09 pm

      I completely agree! Hope you treat yourself to something you love :)

Hi, I’m Emily!

A twenty-something lover of long runs, home cooked meals and my dogs. Join me on my journey to find a mostly healthy balance in food, fitness and life.

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to My Healthyish Life via Email

Archives

Food Advertising by
Food Advertising by

Get the latest

Get all the latest posts straight to your inbox!

Thanks for subscribing to My Healthyish Life

Featured

Nothing But Marvelous

Nothing But Marvelous

posted in Life, Link-up, Weekend Recap

Currently: March 2016

Currently: March 2016

posted in Favorites, Life, Link-up

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2019 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316