A different kind of love letter.
Ohhh ee, it’s the month of love.
It can be a great month when you’re all loved up and happy, and it can feel pretty shite when you’re not. So this month, I want to flip the script a little and start somewhere else entirely.
Self love.
Self love as a radical act of care.
This is still a fairly new concept for me, but one that’s becoming more and more important as I grow. I’m realising just how vital it is to show myself love and care, to make sure I feel full and fulfilled. Because only then can I truly give to the world in the way I want to. You really can’t pour from an empty cup.
I actually developed the exercise below as part of my Life by Design course (coming soon), and it felt right to share it with you here.
So, let’s begin.
First, I want you to write a list of things that make you feel good. Things you do, or used to do, simply because they feel nourishing, joyful, comforting or fun. Anything you love. Anything that fills you up.
For me, some of these are:
Going for a massage
A hot bath
Sitting next to the radiator writing as the bath runs
A warm fruit scone in the morning
Green tea with honey
Having breakfast in the garden
A long walk with the dog in the middle of nowhere
Next, go back through your list and beside each thing, write the date or a rough date of the last time you did it.
Then ask yourself these questions. I'd encourage you to write what comes to mind. Freely without overthinking, just let it flow out of your head and onto paper.
What do you notice?
Are you doing some of these regularly, while others feel like a distant memory?
What do the dates tell you about how you prioritise yourself or how you value your own needs?
How would you feel if you gifted yourself one or more of these things more often?
Now comes the most important part.
Choose one thing from your list that you will give yourself this week. One thing you will commit to doing just for you. A small but intentional act of love.
Then choose one thing you will commit to doing every month. Something you carve out as non negotiable time for yourself. Not for work. Not for family. Not for your children, your partner, your friends or your calling.
Just for you.
Unapologetically.
Finally, take a moment to reflect on what might get in the way. What are the blocks, beliefs or practical obstacles that could stop you from following through? Name them and write them down. When you know what might knock you off course, it becomes so much easier to navigate around it.
Please remember this. You are worthy of self care. You are worthy of love. You deserve to love on yourself fiercely.
As women especially, we are so often taught to put everyone else first. This letter is your permission slip to pour back into yourself.
Fill yourself up.
Enjoy it.
You are so worth it.
With all my love this month,
💛 Emma
P.S. As always, I’d absolutely love to hear from you. What are the two things you’re committing to doing for yourself in the next few weeks?