So yes, I have a boyfriend (I know you were wondering…). He’s cute and I make him hold my hand, and I’m pretty sure he likes it. Valentine’s Day is a thing we celebrate together, like many couples do. But this post is not about him. This one’s for the ladies! Bust out your Shania Twain and Spice Girls playlists (I know you can sing every word).  My calendar says it’s February 1st and we’ve got just a few weeks before GALENTINE’S DAY!

Have you heard of Galentine’s Day?!

If you’re a lover of Amy Poehler and her TV show Parks and Rec, you may be familiar with this magical holiday. On the show (which you can currently find on Netflix) Amy’s character Leslie Knope is a promoter all things related to strong women and believes in investing in herself and her lady friends. She creates the Galentine’s Day holiday, which takes place February 13^th, the day before Valentine’s Day, to celebrate womanhood and generated some positive lady-vibes.

Over the years since this episode aired, Galentine’s Day has caught on in the mainstream. If you do a quick Google search, you’ll find endless articles on the holiday. (But not now, wait until you’ve finished this article, yes? K. Thanks…) Even my friends and I have held mini-celebrations in honor of the holiday, each other, and ourselves.

So why has Galentine’s Day caught on? Why is it important? And, how can you celebrate it too?

Here is my Galentine’s Day guide to loving yourself, your lady-friends, and my tips on how to do it right!

The WHY

It’s never the wrong time to show someone you care about them. It’s never the wrong time to tell someone you think they’re amazing.

Galentines Day is a celebration of the awesome-ness that you recognize in yourself and your friends. It’s an extra reason for you to say, “Hey, you are amazing because (fill in the blank). I see what you’re doing there and I love it!”

Everyone needs to hear those words of encouragement and support. They really do go a long way. Think about how you feel when someone tells you they like your new shirt. You instantly feel fabulous because of the positive reinforcement. (Yes, that WAS a good purchase!) A simple compliment like that can change your day, right?

Now think about how you’d feel if you received a compliment on something you did or said, something on a deeper level. “Hey, I think it’s amazing that you started that blog. You’re a really good writer! I’m so proud of you.” This is the kind of recognition that really sticks with you. Maybe brings a tear to your eye. This positive reinforcement of an action or a goal someone is chasing will boost their self esteem and help keep them on the path to success. Because, why deter from that path when people are telling you it’s the right one?!

Self-Love

Question: Do you ever impress yourself?

Question: Do you ever think about you who are or what you’re doing in life and think, “W-H-O-A she’s amazing”?

Question: Do you ever catch yourself in the mirror and stop to appreciate what you see?

Question: Do you take time to invest in yourself?

Did you read these questions and laugh because they sound SILLY? Did you think, why would anyone ask herself that? If so, stop. STOP. STAHHP. Take a second to think about why you’re not asking yourself these questions every single day.

It often happens that we get stuck in the daily grind of our relentless responsibilities and other mundane tasks we believe we must accomplish to be human. And, so easily, we forget to take care of number one. OURSELVES. We forget to ask these important questions.

If you don’t love yourself, what you’re doing, and who you are, it is SO difficult for others to love you. It’s necessary to take a minute to unplug from the daily Must-Do’s and check in with YOU. What do you need? What do you want? Address whatever feels uncomfortable or out of place. Invest in your own well being, just like you invest in your retirement. You’re making strides towards creating a better life.

Also, there is no shame in recognizing your own accomplishments and giving yourself a pat on the back every once in a while. It feels good and you DESERVE it.

How To Celebrate

There is no wrong way to celebrate Galentine’s Day, except maybe by overlooking it entirely. I’ve scoured the internet, interviewed friends, and racked my own very creative brain to put together a list of the 20 best ways to celebrate solo or with your lady-friends. Try one out, or all 20!

1. Send your bestie some flowers or a card to tell her how great she is.
2. Post a message on social media to someone that inspires you This world is so accessible via social media, why don’t you take the time to share something thoughtful and meaningful?
3. Say thank you to your mentor. Do you have a strong woman that you look up to? Do they know you look up to them? Here’s your opportunity to say thanks.
4. Take a yoga class and get in touch with yourself.
5. Meditate on your dreams.
6. Flaunt your ah-mazing-ness by dolling yourself up to run errands. Grocery shopping is so much more fun when you’re wearing a pretty dress.
7. Get a message.
8. Treat yo’ self! Yes, another steal from Parks and Rec, but seriously demonstrate some self-love by doing something great for yourself.
9. Host a “Girls Night” with your closest allies. Grab a bottle of wine or a bucket of cookie dough, relax, and talk about how awesome you all are.
10. Call an old friend who you haven’t actually TALKED to in a while. Yes, you keep up (stalk) each other over social media and maybe send the occasional text, but when is the last time you heard her voice?
11. Take your sister out to lunch.
12. Volunteer! Find a local opportunity to volunteer at a women’s center or children’s center, or literally anywhere.
13. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. It can be a HUGH leap, like trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp.
14. Perform an act of kindness. Do something unexpected for someone. Pay for a stranger’s drink at Starbucks.
15. Honor your grandma, your mom, your aunts. If they are still around, do something nice for them, or with them, to show you think they are amazing women. If these special ladies are no longer near, do something in their memory you know they would be proud of.
16. Go on a lady-date to a fancy restaurant and splurge on food that you can’t pronounce, because, yes, you fancy too!
17. Create a dream journal. Take a minute to really think about your goals and write them down.
18. Have a “Pretty Woman” day and hit the mall with your friends. Try on fancy dresses that you don’t need and pretend your Julia Roberts.
19. Have a “me” day! Spend the day doing your favorite things solo and reconnect with yourself.
20. Revamp your resume. Ok, if you’re a Parks and Rec follower, this is right up Leslie Knope’s alley. But seriously, take stock of your own accomplishments and make them look stellar on paper. Even in your not job hunting now, you’ll be prepared if an opportunity pops up.

 

Do you celebrate Galentines Day? How do you show love to your lady-friends?