February, the month of love, is the perfect time to celebrate Self-Love Month, especially within our Lipedema community. This year, let’s embrace the idea of being our own Valentine and delve into what self-love truly means.
Self-love is More Than a Phrase
The phrase “Be Mine” often seen on Valentine’s Day cards, though seemingly possessive, can be a beautiful reminder to practice self-love and self-care. By expanding this idea, we can ask ourselves to “Be my_____” in various supportive roles.
Be My Best Friend
Think about the qualities of a best friend: trust, companionship, shared laughter, and tears. As your own best friend, you can offer yourself unconditional love and create a safe space for your emotions and experiences, especially as you navigate life with lipedema.
Be My Caregiver
A caregiver prioritizes well-being. Embodying this role for yourself means ensuring your physical, mental, and emotional health are tended to. This includes engaging in activities that stimulate your mind and soul and nourishing your body with care and understanding.
Be My Champion
Everyone deserves a champion, someone who stands up for them and advocates on their behalf. Be the champion for yourself, celebrating your victories, providing comfort in tough times, and leading yourself towards thriving despite the challenges of lipedema.
Be My Lover
Love is often described as blind, accepting all aspects of a person unconditionally. Apply this unconditional love to yourself. Recognize your human flaws not as faults but as facets of your unique self.
Creating Your Self-Love Valentines
A fun and meaningful activity this month is to create your own Valentine’s Day cards. Use paper hearts, colorful pens, or markers to write messages to yourself, embracing the roles of best friend, caregiver, champion, and lover. This activity is not just a craft, but a powerful affirmation of self-love and acceptance.
Remember, You Are Worthy
As we navigate the journey of lipedema, it’s crucial to remember that self-love is an essential part of our well-being. By embracing these different roles for ourselves, we can foster a stronger, more compassionate relationship with who we are.
Let’s take this month to celebrate self-love in all its forms. Remember, with lipedema, anything is possible, especially when we start by loving ourselves.
Tip of the Month: Try writing a love letter to yourself. List all the things you appreciate and admire about yourself. It’s a powerful exercise in self-compassion and recognition of your worth and strength.
Grab your free ebook on Self-Love HERE
~ Gail Straker, BAEd
Community Manager, Director of Coaching
Lipedema Simplified