February: The Month of Love—But Is It Really?
As I return from maternity leave, I've found myself reflecting deeply on the idea of love, both outward love and inward love. This season of life has shown me just how often we pour love into others while leaving little to no time to pour that same love into ourselves. Can you relate to this?
It's a beautiful thing to show love to our children, spouses, friends, and family. But when was the last time you truly loved on you? If we're honest, many of us fall short when it comes to loving ourselves. Sometimes, we simply don't have the energy left after giving so much to everyone else. So, here's the big question: Why is loving ourselves so hard to prioritize?
After the birth of my son, I gained a new perspective on love. I realized that to give him all the love and care he deserves and to do the same for my oldest son, my spouse, my family, and my friends, I had to be intentional about loving me. I had to affirm myself, nurture myself, and spend time with myself. Why? Because I noticed that when I made space for self-love, I became a better version of myself for everyone else.
Loving yourself isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Think about it, how can we give the best of ourselves to others when we're running on empty? It starts with small but powerful steps: taking a few moments to affirm who you are, carving out time for something that brings you joy, or even just pausing to acknowledge how much you’ve already accomplished.
This February let’s shift the focus from only outward expressions of love to also include inward care and affirmation. Loving on yourself isn’t just an act of self-care; it’s a reminder that you are worthy, valuable, and deserving of the same love you so freely give to others.
Let’s challenge ourselves this month to make self-love an intentional part of our routine. After all, when you love on you, it’s not just your cup that gets filled it’s everyone else’s too.
Jaime Harry
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Wellness Program Liaison
jaime.harry@utsouthwestern.edu
About the Author
Jaime Harry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Duke Certified Integrated Health and Wellness Coach. Jaime's passion is driven in Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Mental Wellness for all people.