All Topics, Lifestyle
The Importance of Self-Love (& What To Gift Yourself This Valentines)
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I’m going to make it clear right off the bat that I love Valentines day and do celebrate it in the traditional sense. In fact, when this post goes live I’ll be enjoying a romantic luxury Spa Break with my other half. I’m up for any excuse to celebrate love, show appreciation and well, a wine and dine.
Celebrating love in the traditional relationship sense is something that feels right in my life right now. However that’s not to say that I don’t fully support any celebrations of love, be it buying flowers for your Nan or throwing a Galentines with your closest friends.
BUT WHAT ABOUT SELF LOVE?
Just for a moment, forget Valentines and with it your utter admiration for a significant other. Ask yourself how often you show yourself any appreciation? It’s unlikely that you’d ever consider yourself your own favourite person, but you should be at least one of them. The aim of this thought exercise isn’t to persuade you that no-one else matters, but to help you realise how much you do. In moderation, the treat yourself mentality is an important aspect of self-love and a fundamental step in showing yourself some possibly overdue appreciation. Actively acknowledging and acting on your own happiness is empowering and important.
HOW TO SHOW IT
There are so many ways of showing yourself some appreciation, from treating your body well and staying healthy, to expanding your mind with travel and knowledge. For now though, lets start with one of the easiest ways: retail therapy. Buying a gift for yourself should be the easiest thing in the world, after all, only you know what you really want. If treating yourself is something you don’t do very often though, I have some ideas and inspiration for you.
New Lingerie
The right set of underwear will make you feel amazing. New sets are always a nice treat and a failsafe option as long as you take a trip to a proper lingerie store so that you can try out different fits. Don’t cheap out, good quality bras will last much longer than anything you could pick up from Primark, and don’t forget, this is a treat not a necessity.
High End Makeup or Skincare
Some high-end beauty products are ludicrously priced and outside of the usual budget. If you’re anything like me, that won’t stop you wanting them. My purse prevents me from spending £25 per lipstick on a regular basis, but what happens in Selfridges Beauty Hall, stays in Selfridges beauty hall (and the receipts stay hidden).
If you’d like to know which high end products are worth the money I recently spoke about a few of my beauty staples. Eclat Skin recently gifted me their beautiful Valentines PR package and there’s nothing better than freshening up your skincare routine.
Luxury Bath Products
Bath products are something most of us use but very rarely actually treat ourselves to. Skip past the Dove isle for once and indulge in something a little higher end (I’d recommend Laura Mercier for a real treat).
A New Fragrance
There’s something about a new perfume that can put a new spring in your step too. They last a good while too so a high end one is a good investment.
A Book (Or Two)
Treats don’t have to cost a fortune. Pick up a book and the real treat is allowing yourself some time to sit down and enjoy it. I’m terrible for multi-tasking my way through life, scrolling through my phone and doing email admin whilst also trying to keep up with a film. Sitting down with a cup of tea and a book is some alone time I’ve truly appreciated lately.
A Favourite Tipple
I’ve never been a big drinker but am partial to a liqueur hot chocolate every now and again. The Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur is a really indulgent pick.
Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers have the ability to effortlessly brighten up a whole room. You don’t have to go far to treat yourself, just pick some up at the store and enjoy having them around. Recently I’ve actually been sourcing some from the garden!
Indulgent Chocolates
I’m not talking about your standard bar of Galaxy. I’m talking about the kind that Matilda steals from Miss Truchballs house. The kind you only ever buy other people as gifts. You deserve the expensive chocolate once in a while.
Scented Candles
My house has a stockpile of scented candles. Not everyone thinks of them as essential, but they do make such a difference to the ambiance. If you’re feeling like you really deserve a treat, indulge in a new candle, bath products, a book and some chocolates. Why not?
New Bedding
It’s almost unbelievable how dramatically new bedding can allow you a better nights sleep. I always look for bedding in TK Maxx. They have fantastic quality high-end bedding (think DKNY or Ralph Lauren for a fraction of the price). If you’re looking to make more dramatic bedding changes then read my recommendations here.
