For The Love of Self

It seems so cliché, really. Love thyself. Great. Right after we encounter the biggest love holiday of the year and are braving the cold, dark days of winter, you want me to think about self-love?

Well, yes. It is simultaneously a poignant and powerful time to take a look at this notion. Whether you are single or attached, the idea of loving and caring for yourself should never grow old or tiresome. To boot, the fact that the days of winter are rather short gives us the extra nudge to stay inside, nurture ourselves, and take time to sink into the quiet contemplation that winter invites.

Take time to create a list of things that you know will make you feel good — things that you don’t normally do. Taking concerted time to contemplate what will support you best in caring for yourself is part of the process. It can be easy for us to get into daily routine and then have the excuse that “I just don’t have enough time to think about or do anything for myself.”
So make the time.

These don’t have to be extravagant things that take a lot of time or money. They can be simple things that recharge your batteries and remind you that to love thyself is a worthy endeavor.

My Love-Thyself List:
* Create your own bath salts at Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary in Boulder.
* Go to a hole-in-the-wall nail shop for an inexpensive, no-fuss pedicure.
* Drive yourself to Westminster AMC 24 to see a romantic comedy that you’ve been dying to see (even though it gets panned by the critics); be sure to buy popcorn.
* Curl up in a comfy chair and read your favorite Jane Austen title (purchased at your local bookstore, of course).
* Attend a restorative yoga class at Studio Be in Boulder.

— By Kimberly Jonas
Jonas is a Boulder-based intuitive guide and healer and teacher of sacred movement, yoga and meditation. Contact her at www.body-mantra.com or www.kimberlyjonas.com.

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