The importance of self-care and making yourself a priority

Happy Galentine's Day! If you're shaking your head and wondering what Galentine's Day is, you're not alone. I did the same yesterday when I was invited to a virtual Galentine's Day gathering. So I did a bit of investigation about Galentine's Day and here is what I learned:

Galentine's Day was created about ten years ago by Amy Poehler's fictional character Leslie Knope in the TV series Parks and Recreation. In the episode, Leslie reveals her favorite February tradition, which is Galentine’s Day. Over a brunch of waffles and excessive gift-giving, Leslie celebrates the joy of female friendship with close friends and co-workers every February 13. Virtually overnight, Galentine's Day was created. It's a day to celebrate your non-romantic relationships, especially those with women. Just like National Donut Day (November 5) or National Let's Laugh Day (March 19), it's another cheesy, but possibly fun, fake holiday.

While you're celebrating your friends and lovers this weekend, there is one person I want you to celebrate most of all: that person is you!!

✨ How often do you celebrate everyone else's successes, but overlook your own achievements?

✨ How often do you take care of everyone else's needs, but forget about your own needs?

✨ How often do you speak in a kind and supportive way to a friend, but you don't talk to yourself that way?

You're juggling so many balls. Is at least one of those balls your own self-care and self-love? It's time to make yourself a priority and take care of your own needs. That announcement on the airplane about "putting the emergency mask on yourself first before putting it on your child" is right. You cannot be of long-term service to others if you don't take care of yourself first.

Here are some journaling or meditation prompts that you might find helpful:

• I feel most energized when....
• What do you love to do? How can you include more of what you love in your life?
• What does unconditional love look like for you? What would you do if you loved yourself unconditionally? How can you act on these things whether you do or don’t?
• Think of a compassionate way you’ve supported a friend recently. Then think about how you can do the same for yourself.

Best,

Christine

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