7 Ways To Up Your Self-Care Game This Galentine’s Day

While the drug stores are overflowing with conversation hearts and glittery greeting cards for your special valentine, I am always infinitely more excited by Galentine’s Day. The holiday pioneered by the incredible (and yes, entirely fictional) Leslie Knope celebrates women and their friendships with each other. However, there’s one relationship that deserves some extra love on this girl-powered holiday, and that’s the relationship we have with ourselves.

Is there really a better way to celebrate the wonder women that we are than by indulging in some self-care? However, this list isn’t all face masks and spa days (though you can definitely put me down for one of those). This list is less about pampering and more about taking care of your number one: YOU. I think Leslie Knope would approve.

1. Disconnect from the comparison game today and every day.

Listen, there’s a lot of good that comes from social media, but oftentimes we find ourselves comparing our lives and our bodies to those of our friends and even total strangers. Honey, nobody ever became the person they were meant to be while wishing they were someone else. If you find yourself constantly comparing yourself and your achievements with folks on social media, set some much needed boundaries to protect your well being.

2. If you don’t already have a budget, take the time to make one.

Finding financial security isn’t necessarily possible overnight, but creating a budget can help you make your money work for you. If you don’t have a savings account, open one now and start putting some cash away each month. Whether you just need an emergency fund or are saving for a downpayment on a house or a dream vacation, there’s no better time to start putting money toward these goals.

3. Start a gratitude journal.

At the risk of getting woo woo on y’all, there’s something to be said for starting and ending your day with gratitude. Sometimes seeing the things we do have in our lives makes all the difference in shifting our mindsets into a more positive place. I like to do this by listing three things I’m grateful for in the morning, and then before bed I list three things that happened that day that I’m thankful for. Don’t overthink it and know that gratitude doesn’t have to be something big and profound. If what you were grateful for that day was your morning cup of coffee, getting some snuggles from your pup, and having Chipotle for dinner, that’s awesome! That means you’re finding joy in your life, even in the simplest things.

4. Schedule those doc appointments you’ve been putting off.

I get it, girl. I also put off scheduling that pap smear like it’s my job, but these are things we need to do to make sure we are in good health. Schedule with your OBGYN, with your primary care physician, or even that eye exam you’ve been putting off. You’ll be glad you got them out of the way and made sure that body was in tip top shape!

5. Go outside.

Baby, I know it’s (still) cold outside, but bundle up in your coziest winter coat and get outside, even for a quick walk. Try to avoid your phone unless it’s to listen to some music or a podcast you love and just enjoy nature for a few minutes.

6. Read a femme-powered book.

Nothing is more empowering than reading about the experiences of other phenomenal women. Some of my favorites include Love, Loss, And What We Ate: A Memoir by Padma Lakshmi, I Gave Up Men For Lent by Kacie Main, Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle, and Becoming by Michelle Obama.

7. Figure out your why and make sure you’re honoring that with your life choices.

Remember that little girl who had all the big dreams? Maybe she dreamed of becoming a writer or working with children. Or maybe she wanted to travel the world or open an animal rescue one day. Sometimes we get so caught up in the minutiae of everyday life that we let go of these dreams that are a big part of who we are and what we want to be. You may not be able to do any of these things overnight, but what if I told you that today you can get one step closer? Big goals can overwhelm us into inaction. Today, write out your why and break it down into smaller steps. Keep breaking those down further and further and further until you have a list of actionable steps and smaller goals that you can start pursuing now.

On this Galentine’s Day, I hope that you take some time to celebrate the badass, gorgeous, noble land mermaid you are. But most importantly, I hope you remember that you are brilliant and fierce. Girl, you are enough.