Love Me Better
I may not always agree with Miley Cyrus’s life choices, but her music most definitely agrees with me. My guilty music pleasures 100% include “Party in the U.S.A” and “Wrecking Ball.” How could they not? And now “Flowers”—you simply can’t help but dance and sing along. Not to mention, what perfect timing with Valentine's Day around the corner. And Valentine's Day is BY FAR my most favorite holiday💘. On Valentine's Day morning you will find our house covered in pink and red hearts, and on the table, heart-shaped waffles with edible rose gold glitter and (yes) pink whipped cream. Aside from the pink, red, and purple color combos that speak to me, I just love celebrating love, in all forms. Love for your partner, family, and friends.
OK, OK, but what's the connection between Miley Cyrus and Valentine's Day?
Miley gives us such an important reminder in her new single “Flowers”—love yourself.
Self-love is defined as having an appreciation/regard for one's own worth or value, for one's own well-being and happiness. Self-love has a direct correlation with self-care, or the idea of meeting YOUR own needs and nurturing YOUR well-being. Scientists refer to self-love as “self-positivity bias,” or how much a person associates positive information with themselves. Research states that self-positivity bias, or self-love, influences self-esteem, motivation, and determination. To love yourself means to trust, know, and accept yourself. These benefits not only make us more likely to set healthy boundaries and take more risks because we believe in ourselves, but can lead to better sleep and reduce anxiety.
Yeah, but what about all the people around us? They are important to us too.
Exactly. You may know the saying “You can't pour from an empty cup.” The more love we have for ourselves, the higher capacity we have to love and care for others. For example, a good friend of mine started taking herself out on little dates, like a morning walk with a trip to the coffee shop and a book. These small acts of self-love help fill her cup.
As Valentine's Day approaches, this is my encouragement: Do something for you. Do something that fills your soul. Sit with yourself and express gratitude for exactly who you are at this very moment. Write yourself a love letter or buy yourself a little something that makes your heart sing. You are perfection and deserve to be celebrated and loved. And when we love ourselves first, it allows us to more fully give and receive love to those around us.
As Miley says …
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don't understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can
