Love Yourself This Valentine's Day

Love is something everyone wants. Especially on Valentine's Day. As women, we crave to love and be loved. We want someone to see all the little efforts we make. Who makes you feel beautiful and reminds you, you are loved. Who is kind, and patient. Who at the end of a long day, doesn't pick on the little imperfections, but instead is loving and tries to understand. We all want love.

But love goes beyond what someone else can give you. It's also about what you can do for yourself. So this post is for all the single ladies *tap into your inner Beyonce and cue the music and dance moves* this Valentine's Day. If you're longing for a relationship, take a minute to read over these points on why it's ok to be single. Not just that, but also why it's healthy to be single and important to love yourself.

1. No one knows you better than you. No amount of chocolates, kisses, foot rubs, or flowers can ever fill that space in your heart. You know yourself better than anyone. You know when you're pushed too far or when you feel like you might crack. No one else knows that. It's up to you to listen to your body and mind. It's up to you to not let yourself get to your breaking point. And if you do, it's up to you to make the choice to get back up and keep going. Even those who are closest to you won't understand everything that's going on inside your head. So the better you know your body, mind, and soul, the better.

2. You can't love fully if you don't love yourself. You can't put up a front forever. If you're unhappy with yourself, it will show in time. You need to accept your differences, your imperfections, and your quirks. If you don't love them and accept that they're a part of what makes you you, how can you expect someone else to?

3. You're learning your self worth. By being single, you're showing yourself that you don't need to rely on anyone else. That your happiness doesn't depend on a man. You're showing yourself that you determine your own happiness. That you know you are worthy of the right kind of love, and that you love yourself enough to wait patiently for it. 

4. You will grow stronger. Take a minute to think and appreciate yourself. People are hard on other people. What makes things worse is when you are already hard on yourself. But being single is not a mistake. Think about everything you've overcome. Everything you've pushed through and all the times your heart has been broken. You have come so far and you are so strong. Everyday, you get stronger. Even on the days when you feel weak, look at those days as more opportunities to become even stronger. This time being single doesn't mean you're weak. This time is only going to make you stronger.  

5. You deserve it. You deserve to have a great man one day. It's not a bad thing to have high standards. It shows that you know what you deserve and you won't settle for less. So many times people have told me that my standards are too high and that there's not a man out there who will meet them all. But I full heartedly disagree. God placed these desires in my heart for a reason. They're there to remind me to wait patiently, even if the wait is longer than I want. If God didn't create someone for me with the things I desire, why would he put the desires in my heart in the first place? God doesn't play games. He is simple and pure. So never lower your standards, you deserve nothing but the best.

So don't think of this time as a negative time in your life. Think of it as a time to breathe, grow stronger, and love yourself better. Remember what you are holding out for. You are waiting for true love. For a man who is so mature he won't toy with your heart or drag you back and forth. Who you won't have to wonder how he feels about you, or if his intentions are changing. Someone who respects you enough to communicate. A man who loves you so much he won't push the limits. 

I dream about love a lot. My dream is to meet someone who clicks with me. Who things are easy and natural with, not forced. Who sees me, and not just sees my body. Who sees my imperfections and flaws and loves me anyway. Who is sensitive, sweet, and outgoing. Who knows how to have the right kind of fun. Someone who is trusting and an amazing communicator. A man who shares my morals and faith. Who loves God so much he won't just take things as far as I'll let him, but has his own standards too. And last, someone who is joyful. Who loves this life so much he can't help but see the positives in the negatives. That's the love I dream of. But it is unfair of me to want those things in someone else, if I'm not trying to have those qualities also. 

So I'm taking this time to be single day by day. Learning to love myself more, the right way and trying to better myself. Not just for me, but for my future spouse and my Holy Father. I know that by doing this, I'll grow stronger. And if you try this, I promise you will too. So tomorrow if you're walking in a store and are overwhelmed with all the mushy Valentine's stuff, remind yourself how strong you are and try to love yourself a little bit more.

Happy Valentine's Day!

--Kelsey Lynn <3