SORRY ST VALENTINE!

Today is Valentine's Day, a day of love, commercialism and feeling like the odd one out if you're not in a relationship. Of course that is up to individual interpretation these days. My daughter's friend Carolyn has been rambling on all week about her serious relationship with coffee. Each to his or her own I think. And then to the right, there was this gem from my daughter.

Anyway let's talk about this " love" business. The older I get the less I'm into chocolates, hearts and red and the more I'm into self love. Mind you ( a quick side track), I stood the husband in front of a florist yesterday and hinted heavily that for my 50th, a bouquet of red roses would be nice. He looked at the $100 price tag and choked. But I don't care. I am so worth it. You can keep your fattening chocolates , but flowers I'll have any day. 

                        

Back to self love. These days I'm becoming an expert, probably because my family and I have been through so much and I need all the self loving I can muster to keep myself out of the loony bin. Today I'm willing to share what I've discovered in the last few years and save you, the chocolate munching public a lot of time and angst.You can thank me later. I call this piece...

ITS NOT ABOUT THE CHOCOLATES

ITS ABOUT...

1. The sleep ins you can have followed by a quiet mug of coffee in an empty house.

2. A good book you can't put down; one which takes your mind off " stuff".

3. A manicure, a pedicure, your hair done, anything that focuses on you.

4. Ridding yourself of toxic friendships and people who only want you for what they can get out of you.

5. Good people who listen and act if you need them and do it time and time again if you need them a lot.

6. Being able to care for and love others and do good things without any expectation of reciprocation.

7. Having time to stand still, close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you.

8. Yummy food that nourishes your body - avocado, nuts, mangoes to name a few.

9.Time to reconnect with your spouse.

10. Giving in occasionally to avoid the stress of an argument.

11. Being grateful and trying to find some good in everything. (This can be hard).

12. Giving yourself technology free time to recharge your batteries.

                        

And this folks is what I think Valentines Day should be about - learning to love yourself more. Forget about the commercial side of this day and just work on your relationship with yourself.

Till next time..xxx

Go forth and love yourselves.

ST