The Fortune Cookie Was Right: An Operation in Self-Love
Happy February.
Love is still in the air as we settle in after another Valentine’s Day. While the world focuses on romantic love this month, I want to talk about the primary relationship in your life: the one you have with yourself.
Even a fortune cookie I received this week knew the assignment. It read:
“To let another into your heart, first let yourself in.”
It is simple, but how often do we actually practice it?
The Internal Audit In my work as a Director of Operations, I often look for inefficiencies in a system. But when I look at how we treat ourselves, I see the biggest inefficiency of all: Self-Judgment.
We are so hard on ourselves for the silliest things. We audit our past mistakes with a magnifying glass, punishing ourselves for being human. We bury our brilliance underneath a mountain of guilt until it becomes hard to breathe. Then, we wonder why we attract partners or situations that judge us or find fault with us.
The Mirror Experiment What if we just let ourselves off the hook for one day? What if you fired your inner critic and hired an inner cheerleader instead?
Imagine standing in front of the mirror, looking into your own eyes, and saying: “It’s okay. You are perfect with all of your imperfections. I love you with my whole entire heart.”
Would you feel the tension drop from your shoulders? Would you feel your nervous system shift from "defense" to "flow"?
Sovereignty Over Validation The moment we can step into our own hearts and truly feel the magnificence of our being is the moment we achieve Inner Mastery.
This is when we can truly love another—not because we need them to complete us or fix us (ego agenda), but because we are overflowing with love ourselves. There is no attachment. There is only kindness, beauty, and sovereignty.
Your Assignment If you didn’t celebrate you on Valentine’s Day, it is not too late. In fact, it is never too late.
Buy yourself the flowers. Do not wait for someone else to bring beauty into your home.
Date yourself. Spend quality time journaling about what brings your heart joy, and then schedule time on your calendar to actually do those things.
You deserve to be the love of your own life.
Are you ready to stop judging yourself and start loving your life? If you need help quieting the inner critic so you can hear your own heart, let’s connect.
