Morning my beautiful angels. It’s almost Valentine’s Day and I have a pretty strange request for you. This year I want you to go out and purchase a card for yourself. I want you to write down all the reasons why you love and appreciate you. I want you to list all the incredible things that you have excelled at and all the things you are grateful for.

Why you might ask? Well I for one, don’t think that we leave enough room for self-love in today’s busy world. We are always comparing ourselves to people on social media (it’s not real) and pushing ourselves to breaking point to help those around us. By the time it comes to giving some much needed TLC to ourselves, we are drained and completely spent.

I am reminded of the announcement they make every time you take off on a flight. The captain reminds you, “In the case of an emergency, please put on your own oxygen mask before helping your children”. Why does he do this? You see he knows that if we are not OK, we cannot help those around us. So let’s make Valentine’s Day a day of self-love. Let’s be kind to ourselves.

So in addition to this card that you are going to write yourself, filled with all the wondrous things that represent you, I want you to spoil yourself too. So buy yourself a gorgeous bunch of flowers, treat yourself to that foot massage, plan a walk on the beach or in a park, run that hot bath with candles and bubbles and give yourself an hour to soak, curl up with your favorite book or take a dance class and have fun.

And going forward, try to make every day a day of self-love. Before you get out of bed each morning, write down 5 things you are grateful for in a journal. I have been keeping one for years and list the simplest of things, like I am thankful for my breath. You would be amazed at how starting the day with an attitude of gratitude can shift your entire life.

And I want you to let go of all the doubt, guilt and blame. It serves no purpose other than to weigh you down. Everything that you regret has happened in the past. Give yourself permission to let it go. Today is a new day. I want to thank you for being my Valentine and I want to tell you how much I love, adore and treasure you. Big hugs and kisses xxx Chef MM