Did you know that Sunday, Feb 13 is a national love-based holiday too? Natural day or Self-love day is celebrated around the world as a day to take a closer look at your most important relationship―the one you have with yourself...
One day a 7th-grade girl named Sanah Jivani woke up and found almost all of her hair on her pillow. She had a condition called Alopecia Universalis that resulted in her losing all her hair.
A few days later she mustered the bravery to face her peers at school. Her appearance provoked ridicule and bullying from people around her. Her self-esteem took a massive hit. And her insecurities sent her spiraling into a cycle of self-hatred.
Eventually, Sanah hit rock bottom. Her own inner bully was the loudest and meanest of them all. She came to terms with the fact that this narrative she had allowed to move into her mind was not her truth. The repercussions of believing the mainstream definition of beauty was cancer to her self-worth and her happiness.
She knew something had to change. She knew that she could be and feel however she wanted. She alone had the power to define and design her reality.
And so she began redefining her parameters of beauty. She woke up every day and declared who she was by her own standards and her own measures of what is wonderful and worthy in this life.
Sanah decided that she would love herself and her journey no matter how imperfect it was...why? Because she could. Because anyone can.
As a result, Sanah grew to be a confident, caring, teen activist for natural beauty and self-love. Her story and the foundation she started have changed millions of people's lives. In 2011 Sanah started Self-Love day and since then it has become a national holiday that is celebrated in 23 countries!
What are your insecurities?
What self-bullying are you subjecting yourself to?
How would you rather feel?
What are your standards for determining what is wonderful and amazing and beautiful in this life?
Want to celebrate self-love day on Sunday? Here are some ideas:
- Watch Sanah Jivani's Ted talk. It's 8 mins and will change the way you look at yourself in the mirror, the way you talk to yourself, and blow your ideas of beauty into a confetti of wonder and delight. Share it with as many people as you can.
- Write yourself a love letter. Be sure to list all the things you love and appreciate about yourself. Extra credit: Use futureme.com to send it to yourself on Feb 13 of next year.
- Find a childhood picture of yourself and decorate the picture with hearts. Write "I love you, you are doing a great job" on the back and hang it where you will see it every day.
- Surround yourself with people who make you feel like your best self. Meet or call up a friend and talk about self-love. Or bring the topic up at the dinner table. Talk to your kids about self-love. Your parents. Your next-door neighbor. Ask them: "Are you getting enough self-love?"
- Pamper yourself. Bubble bath. Self-massage. Fresh flowers. Your favorite book. Yoga by candle lite. Solo dance party. Make yourself a special meal.
- Oracle card valentine. Choose your favorite oracle deck and choose a card with this intention in mind: "What's the most important thing I need to know in regards to loving myself more?"
- Learn about self-love. Here are a few resources that I can recommend:
Body Thrive by Cate Stillman Uplevel Your Life With 10 Habits
Worthy by Nancy Levin; Boost Yourself Worth to Grow Your Net Worth.
Stop Being Mean to Yourself by Melodie Beattie; A Story About Finding the True Meaning of Self-love
Savor Every Bite by Lynn Rossy PHD; Mindful Ways to Eat, Love Your Body, and Live With Joy.
The Seasons Within You by Kenzie Snyderman; Self-love for Every Phase of Your Cycle.
And with that, I will bid you ado. Have the best weekend! Lay around. Light a candle. Play your favorite music. Love yourself madly. Let good things come to you.
- Kenzie
Ps. This 3 min dance fitness video has been the center of my Morning Self-Love Routine lately. Also, I'm not going to lie it's incredibly entertaining to both me and Odin to watch me try to master all the dance moves. And also! The song is the best.
Pps. Write me back and let me know who you are going to hot date yourself on Sunday. Or request an Oracle card-self-valentine. I will pull a card for you and send you the result. ♡
Ppps. Your future self told me to tell you, "Thanks." They said you would know why.
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