Self-acceptance is key this Valentines

At LIVIN, while we appreciate the reported history of Valentine’s Day (it’s quite an interesting history for those wanting to learn more – a quick Google search will do the job) and its modern-day interpretation; that is, expressing feelings to those you love (usually your partner) and showering them with admiration, we also understand that not everyone has a partner. Jump on Tinder, Bumble, Plenty of Fish, Hinge, Elite Singles, zoosk, eHarmony etc. etc. etc. (literally) and you will see that there are thousands of single people out there. This year, we’d like to think that Valentine’s Day can be very much about self-love and self-acceptance. 

Self-acceptance…

relates to the acceptance of all your attributes, both the good stuff and the not-so-good stuff. When we stop judging ourselves so harshly (and we all do it from time to time), we can begin to secure a more positive sense of who we are. That doesn’t mean we need to think we are THE BEST all the time, but it means it’s fine to be accepting of our own ‘OK-ness’. Of course, it’s great to be great at certain things and it’s very, very normal to suck at other things, but it’s also okay to be just okay some of the time.

How to boost your self-acceptance (let’s keep this simple today and some food for thought):

• Start treating yourself like a friend, a loved one, someone you are responsible for helping.
• You’ve seen it written on some of our apparel – “You Matter”, start believing this because you ALL matter to someone.
• Practice regular self-care. This means prioritising doing things each day that make you feel good about YOU. This is an individual thing and can include so many different things, so start exploring what works for you today and then continue to practice this very thing, or these very things every single day.
• Embrace your loved ones. Being kind makes you feel pretty good, pay it forward and experience it for yourself. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive, sometimes it’s the small things that matter. You might let someone into your lane at peak hour, open the door for someone, buy someone a LIVIN sticker or give someone who is struggling a big hug.

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” (Buddha)

If you think you’re struggling with poor self-acceptance, low self-esteem, loneliness, relationship issues or anything for that matter, reach out to a professional today. Check out the Get Help section on our website for some professional support options.