Why not be your own Valentine? Take the time to enjoy the simple things -- the little things that are easy to do if you take a few moments to plan and follow through. Remember the things you used to enjoy -- the ones that don’t require a lot of money? Or mean agonizing for days or weeks to plan? 

No idea where to start? Here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling and remind you of some gratifying pleasures you may have forgotten:

(These tend to make us feel accepted, appreciated and understood.)

(These make us feel capable, useful, strong and loving)

   

(These bring pleasure in and of themselves)

Why would you even want to consider this? What’s in it for you? First, being good to yourself stretches both your imagination and your perspective. Next, new neural pathways are created in your brain, expanding your awareness. Finally, boredom? Gone! You’re ready for new adventures. 

Let’s take one more step and extend your Valentine Day’s celebration beyond February 14th. Make a written plan to include some of these activities in your daily life. Start with the simplest activities -- the ones you’re most likely to enjoy. Gradually add more favorites or add others that appeal to you. Try doing at least one each day -- perhaps even more on weekends. 

A final note: Being kind to yourself is a real pleasure. As you “gift” yourself, your energy and awareness increase in significant ways. While “gifting” yourself helps you meet your own needs, it also allows you to become freer in your own life, reduces stress and makes you more able to meet the needs of others. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Having over 35 years of experience, Joan Courtney is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and an NLP Practitioner. Her practice, Unstuck Living, helps people end old patterns and get unstuck. Issues are often resolved 90% of the time within 1-3 sessions. Joan writes articles for Outdoors Southwest and Maverick Magazine, as well as bi-weekly Face Book posts about Duff, the Canine Executive Officer (CEO) of Unstuck Living.