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Love, Yourself

February. It’s barely a month and every four years we toss it an extra day to make itself feel better.
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February is a peculiar month. A little over four months ago we were gorging ourselves on discounted Halloween candies while hissing at premature promotions for Chris Cringle (some of us). Thanksgiving coaxed us gently into the holiday mood and before we knew it, we were dashing through the snow on a one booze limit visiting friends, relatives and everyone in between: To Canyon, West Creston, then Lister and Yahk! To Cranbrook for Walmart, the summit is packed! Then we gave ourselves a week of normalcy before the New Year’s clean slate erases the partying we did the night prior.

Then comes February. By the time the first comes around whatever made us all giddy, gay, and bright has worn off and left us grim, grey and dull. In December, the snowfall was magical. For some, it meant a chance of a snow day, snow job or a snow fort. Others may see it as a pristine blanket over the world, silencing our surroundings long enough to reflect within ourselves. More still will use it to celebrate the spiritual essence and diversity that defines us as a culture, a nation, and a global community.

Right now it’s just crap.

February. It’s barely a month and every four years we toss it an extra day to make itself feel better.

February. Where New Year’s resolutions go to die.

February. It’s even hard to spell.

February. We let a rodent predict the weather

February is suicide prevention month. It’s when our holiday bills come in the mail and where seasonal depression comes to play. Outside the wind cuts through winter wear like an assassin’s blade and inside were becoming increasingly anxious for the renewal of spring. More than ever, it is important to love yourself this time of year.

On February 10th, earlier this month, Creston BC LGBT+ acknowledged the dreariness of the season and decided to have a day where we focused on self-love and care. Although we were quite happy with the turnout, we also recognize that not everyone will attend our events and, thus, would like to extend a few tips your way:

  • Make your bed in the morning. It’s the first positive thing you will do for yourself that day.
  • Be aware of your personal musings. The brain is quite gullible. Don’t fill it with lies about yourself.
  • Take time for you. Set aside a decent amount of time for yourself and make it sacred. You deserve to spend time with you.
  • Change is weird. Putting yourself first can be awkward. Quieting our mind from distraction can be difficult. Being alone can be lonely. Facing yourself is terrifying. It’s ok. Over time you’ll find you’re pretty cool. Heck, you may even ditch a toxic friend or two for yourself.
  • Lastly, write a letter to you. Whatever you choose to do with it afterward is completely up to the imagination, but be sure, to be honest and loving. After all, this isn’t just anyone who will be reading it later.

There are hundreds of ways one can build themselves up and I encourage you, dear reader, to find one that works for you. By the time this article goes to print, we will be kissing the last days of February goodbye. That doesn’t mean, however, that the focus on self-love goes with it. I, for one, fully intend on flipping the bird come the 28th, but until then I’ll sit down and flip open a colouring book for a while.

Love, Yourself.