Fall in love with yourself, not with someone else

With the falling of the leaves and the weather getting colder, it becomes the time of year when relationships really start to catch on fire.

Cuddling season is in our mists and we can all cozy up with some blankets and hot chocolate with our significant other and watch romance movies to our heart’s content. Right? I don’t think so.

That may have sounded amazing but what about all of us that don’t have significant others? Are we supposed to sit back and watch everyone else have a good time, while we stuff our faces with tubs of ice cream and wallow in self-pity? Absolutely not.

Self- love is one of the most important things you can do for you. So put down the ice cream and listen up because with the changing of the seasons, now is the time to fall in love with yourself.

An article published by The Huffington Post written by Lindsey Holmes explains, “Research suggests that self-acceptance could lead to greater satisfaction with your life — but it’s a habit that many people practice the least.” Most feel guilty or selfish when they take the time out of their day for themselves. However, you have to have a fulfilling relationship with yourself before you can be fully committed in a relationship with another.

When you’re single, you have more time to devote to you, take advantage of this. Take yourself out on a date. Go to the movies or to a museum or even have a day at the spa. Yes, it might feel awkward at first but then you’ll start to learn things about yourself that you never thought were possible.

You can branch out and do things out of your comfort zone, you might even find a new hobby and form new relationships.

Getting to know the real you is very key in loving yourself. Granted, you learn things about yourself through other people but they don’t truly understand how your mind works and the real feelings you have. You know what’s best for you, how far your limits are, and your true goals in life. Sometimes even your own mind gets foggy, these are the perfect times to discover who you really are.

As Bella DePaulo wrote in Psychology Today, “(…) singles are better at being their own sources of comfort and security.”

So even if you’re having a hard time figuring out what’s best for you, take it from L.J. Vanier, “Like a butterfly burrowing from its chrysalis, so shall you find your wings, if you only take the time to find yourself.”

With winter right around the corner and relationships getting more serious, don’t wallow in self-pity too much. Take this time to love yourself, you can learn things you never imagined. So if you want to stuff your face with ice cream, do it for you and only you. Go get lost and find what makes you happy by falling in love with you.