Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or both this week, don’t forget how important it is to also practice self-love. This weekend a teacher friend of mine shared how she’s approaching the theme of Valentine’s Day in her elementary school classroom: by teaching her kids ways to love themselves. She’s designing activities around teaching them to be kind to themselves, to empower themselves, to practice self-compassion, to be more forgiving, and of course, to share the love.

It’s a lesson that makes total sense to teach to a group of children — so why aren’t we practicing what we preach, and being kind and compassionate to ourselves at the same time?

At Women in Retail Leadership Circle, we’ve come up with a few ways (even free ways!) to practice self-love this Valentine’s Day:

  • Give yourself the gift of a staycation.
  • Before the day is over, say out loud something you like about yourself.
  • Set aside time for an activity that brings you joy, with no other goal.
  • Catch up with an old friend.
  • Give social media a rest.
  • Perform a random act of kindness, and don’t tell anyone.
  • Buy that chocolate, or those flowers, or that spa day, just for you.
  • Give yourself the gift of a Women in Retail Leadership Circle membership.

I’d love to hear some other ways you’re practicing self-love this Valentine’s Day — drop me a line at kstidham@napco.com.