Beyond Roses & Chocolates: 5 Meaningful Ways to Show Yourself Love
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Let’s be real—Valentine’s Day can feel a bit over the top. The ads, the pressure, the “perfect” gifts that everyone suddenly needs to buy. And if you’re not in a relationship? It can feel like you’ve been completely left out of the whole thing.
But over the years, I’ve realised that love isn’t just something we give to others—it’s something we need to give to ourselves, too. And I don’t mean a one-off spa day or treating yourself to chocolate (though, go for it if that’s your thing). I mean the kind of self-care that actually makes a difference—in how you feel, how you move through the world, and how you show up for yourself every single day.
So, here are five ways I’ve learned to show myself love—in life, in business, and in the in-between moments.
1. Nourish Your Body (Without Making It a Chore)
For a long time, I treated self-care as something I had to earn. If I got through my to-do list, then I could take a break. If I had a productive day, then I deserved a proper meal. But that mindset? It’s exhausting.
Now, I make self-care part of my routine, not a reward.
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I move my body in ways I actually enjoy (hello, Pilates).
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I eat meals that nourish me, instead of just grabbing something quick between tasks.
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I prioritise sleep—because running on fumes doesn’t make me more productive.
And some days? It’s as simple as taking a long, warm shower with a beautifully scented soap—one that feels like a little luxury in the middle of an ordinary day. Because self-care doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
2. Clear Out the Clutter—Both Physical and Digital
Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I know two things need a reset: my space and my mind.
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A quick desk tidy-up makes me feel instantly lighter.
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Deleting emails and unsubscribing from things I don’t need? Goodbye, digital clutter.
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Muting or unfollowing social media accounts that don’t make me feel good? Absolute game-changer.
Seriously, if you’ve never done a deep clean of your inbox and social feeds, do it today. It feels better than buying something new.
3. Practice Radical Self-Acceptance
We live in a world that constantly tells us we’re not enough. Not successful enough, not fit enough, not “together” enough. And if you run a business like me? There’s always pressure to be achieving more, growing faster, working harder.
But here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t need to earn your worth.
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You can be proud of where you are right now (even if you’re still figuring things out).
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You can show yourself kindness, instead of pushing through every struggle alone.
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You don’t have to “fix” yourself to deserve care—because you already do.
Self-love isn’t just about pampering. It’s about accepting yourself as you are, not just as you want to be.
4. Romanticise the Little Things
For years, I thought “romance” meant big, grand gestures. Now, I find it in small, everyday moments—the kind of things that make life feel that little bit more special.
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Drinking my morning coffee slowly, instead of rushing through it.
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Wearing my favourite perfume, even if I’m just working from home.
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Making time for solo beach walks, because they make me feel calm.
Or something as simple as choosing a beautifully scented soap and actually taking the time to enjoy the feeling of lathering it up, breathing in the natural oils, and slowing down instead of rushing through a shower. Because even the most everyday moments can be small acts of self-care when we’re intentional about them.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Rest—Without Guilt
This one took me a long time to learn. For years, I thought if I wasn’t working, I was falling behind. That rest was something I had to earn. But the truth?
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You don’t have to be productive every second of the day.
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Doing nothing is still doing something (it’s recharging you).
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Burnout isn’t a badge of honour—it’s a sign to slow down.
Now, I actually schedule rest into my week. If I don’t? I know I’ll just keep filling my time with things that aren’t urgent but feel important.
Final Thoughts: Love Yourself, Every Day (Not Just on Valentine’s Day)
Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to celebrate love—but that doesn’t mean it has to come from someone else.
The way you care for yourself every day—not just once a year—is what really matters. So, whether that means setting boundaries, taking a break, or just doing something small that makes you happy—don’t wait for a holiday to do it.
Emma xx
