Valentine’s Day might have been and gone for another year but it’s never a wrong time to lean in to a bit of self-love. If you didn’t use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to do so, then let this timely post be your reminder that you deserve romance too. Not from a partner – from yourself!
I have a hard time with the phrase, “romanticize your life” because let’s be honest, life is messy and complicated and unpredictable and bad things happen all the time.
When you’re having a bad day, all you want to do is eat chocolate and cry sometimes, not try and romanticize every aspect of your day, like buying milk or going a poo.
But when it comes to self love, I think there’s something to be said for getting a lil romantic with yourself.
We so often reserve romance for other people. Most notably our husbands or wives, boyfriends or girlfriends, perhaps someone you’re casually dating.
We pull out the big guns to up the romance factor for others, yet why don’t we give ourselves to same courtesy? When, let’s be honest, we probably deserve it more.
And if you DON’T have a partner in your life, why should that stop you experiencing romance either?
Here are 8 romantic ways to treat yourself:
Buy yourself flowers
Okay how could I NOT mention this first after the absolute ICONIC moment at the Grammy’s this year with Miley Cyrus? That gal was up there, celebrating the f*** out of herself and I love to see it.
But no, you don’t need to win a Grammy to be worthy of self-love and romance. You can celebrate your achievements however big or small they are. And buying yourself flowers is a great way to do that.
Treat yourself to a new toy
Yep, we’re going there. We’re not afraid to go there. Because using toys is a perfectly healthy and normal thing to do both with a partner and with yourself.
Invest in underwear that makes YOU feel amazing
Nice underwear is not reserved for other people. BUT I don’t mean anything lacy, red or barely there. Unless that’s what makes you feel amazing. We’re all comfortable in different things.
So if you feel amazing in a tiny little thong, great. If you love a bodysuit, excellent. And if you feel amazing in Bridget Jones style knickers, I am right there with you babe!
Cook yourself your favourite meal
Cooking can be romantic and a wonderful act of self love and self care. So often, especially as women, we cook for other people – partners or children – or we’ll put the effort in when we have guests over. Yet rarely do we extend the same love and care for ourselves.
If we find ourselves with a rare night to ourselves, we might opt for a takeaway or something quick we can stick in the microwave. How about next time, we make the effort to go out, buy the ingredients and cook ourselves our most favourite meal, with the same care we’d cook for others? Now that’s romantic.
Run yourself a romantic bath with candles, bubbles and wine
Cliché, I know. But soooo worth it! Since I moved house and no longer have a bath, I really realised the true value of being able to take yourself away into warm bath and just enjoy the quiet and alone time.
Again, something we often do as women, even if we do treat ourselves to a bath is to just run the bath, get in and have a soak for an hour and get out. Next time, put the effort in. Light the candles. Use your best bath products. Pour yourself a glass of something nice just because you want to.
Can alcohol cause low blood pressure? A glass of wine might seem like a perfect way to unwind, it’s important to be mindful of how alcohol can affect your body, especially since many people aren’t aware that it can cause low blood pressure.
Have a full body pamper night
Taking that bath one step further? Consider carving out time in your diary for a full body pamper evening. Head to toe, focus on YOU. Give every aspect of yourself the love and care you deserve.
From using a hair mask and a face mask, having a full-body shave (if that’s your thing), paint your toe nails, use your best moisturiser, exfoliate, heck even give yourself a foot massage with someessential oils.
Take yourself out on a date
Over the last few years, I have grown to love spending time with myself. I love going out by myself, spending time in coffee shops reading my book, having lunch alone, going for spa breaks or shopping trips by myself.
I’m definitely making up for lost time with myself, after 7 or so years of being too scared to do anything by myself, due to my anxiety disorder.
So I urge you to take yourself on a date. If you are nervous, start small, like a coffee shop. Work your way up toeating out alone, going to the cinema by yourself or even travelling solo or going on a solo spa trip.
Have a lazy weekend morning in bed
If time – and responsibilities – allow, this could be a well-need romantic treat for yourself. When was the last time you woke up and allowed yourself to just be? Without jumping out of bed to start your chores, get ready for work, make the kids breakfast or check your emails.
Find a day where you can do this and commit to doing it.
If you have a bakery or a shop nearby, take yourself on a slow morning stroll to get breakfast, then get right back in bed and enjoy it. Pour yourself the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had. Read a book. Put on some relaxing music. Journal.