Who Do You Love?
“Not today, Cupid! Enough with this lovey-dovey Valentine’s mumbo jumbo.” If you hear your inner voice saying these things and are about to jump to the next blog to read, hold up! This isn’t another Valentine’s post full of gushy hearts and roses.
I’m not going to have you make a list of everyone (or thing) you love. I’m here to talk to you about you. Have you ever considered that the longest relationship you will ever be in is with yourself? You may talk to yourself more than others, probably lie to yourself more to others, and laugh at yourself more than others. I know I do!
How are you treating yourself these days? Do you find it challenging to be a friend to yourself? Do you treat others better than yourself? Are you at the bottom of the barrel because you subscribe to the “others first” mentality? I’ll just briefly remind you that on a commercial flight the stewardesses are going to teach you to put your oxygen mask on before you assist anyone else with theirs. I’m not saying “don’t put others first” at all! We need more of that on this planet! But you are not a doormat.
There is a time to put yourself first, and there’s no time better than the present. The best present you can give yourself is your friendship! To treat yourself as good as you treat your friends and family (that one may be the easiest!). When was the last time you enjoyed your own company?
Here’s some signs that maybe it’s time to give yourself permission to schedule in me-time on your calendar:
- Burn out
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Insomnia
Is this more challenging than you thought it would be and you’re not sure where to start? This is exactly why the library is here for you! Here are some books to help you build a better relationship with yourself. Your future self will thank you.
You are a Badass Every Day by Jen Sincero
The Self-Care Solution by Jennifer Ashton
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
Radical Compassion by Tara Brach
How to Love Yourself by Meggan Watterson
~Kimberlee Patton, Adult Reference and Programming Librarian
