That will nourish your body, mind, and spirit
Show yourself some real love this Valentine’s with these incredible seven experiences you can gift yourself. Because flowers wilt, a manicure grows out, and chocolates won’t last, but these will. They’ll fill your heart, nourish your soul and revive your body in ways you never imagined.
I’ve experienced this inner transformation personally, and I’ve seen the difference it’s made in how my clients feel about themselves. In today’s busy world, with endless demands and responsibilities, making time for yourself is more important than ever. Try one or all of these and experience the shift yourself.
1. Take Yourself Away
Book that retreat you’ve always wanted to go on, plan a solocation or stay in a hotel in the city for a night or two with room service, a spa treatment and everything you’ve longed to do for yourself but never managed to on family getaways. At first, it might feel uncomfortable to do something so special for yourself, especially if you’re not used to it, but once you do, you’ll realize how much you needed it and trust me, you’ll feel so much better after.
Can’t do a full getaway? Take a morning or afternoon just for you, or plan something special that you normally wouldn’t do, like getting your makeup done before a special dinner or night out. It’s okay to treat yourself and to take time for pampering, even if it’s not what you’re used to.
Self-love Pro Tip
Schedule this trip at the start of the year before your schedule gets filled up with everyone else’s activities and priorities.
My Pick For Calgary & Area Spa Services & Make-up
My personal favourite place to get a facial is at Artistry By Bobi’s studio. She’ll pamper you from head to toe and make sure you leave with your skin looking fabulous. She’s also my go-to hair and makeup artist for client photoshoots.
2. Uplevel With a New Passion Project
Take the watercolour or pottery course that’s been on your list, or learn how to start a podcast or write a book. Having something outside of work to fill your cup is a lasting way to show yourself love. Not only will you feel the difference, but your family will also because doing things for your own inner fulfilment has a way of rippling out to everyone you know. They’ll see that what you’re doing brings you joy, and it may even inspire them to do something for themselves, too.
Self-love Pro Tip
Taking small steps, like starting with just one class, can make starting something brand new feel less daunting and more manageable.
My Pick for Art Classes in Calgary
My personal favourite place for art classes is the Alberta University of the Arts. I started taking classes about a year ago to reconnect with my artist self, and the results have been profound. Sketching and painting have brought me more joy and peace in my life, and helped me be more mindful in the little everyday moments. I absolutely loved the Figure Drawing class, but the one that really pushed me was “100 drawings in a week” (to be honest, I only did 80, but I’m really proud of myself for managing even that!).
3. Capture Your Beauty with a Beauty or Boudoir Photography Experience
Let’s face it. Your camera roll is filled with pictures of your kids, but wouldn’t it feel incredible to have created a special, lasting memory of yourself? And of course, we love our partners, but they aren’t always the best at capturing our best angles.
This is something I do for my clients. I curate a session that helps them remember the woman they are beyond the label of mom, wife, caregiver, daughter, and friend. I also help them reconnect with the version of themselves that’s been hidden away behind the endless tasks and responsibilities, not to mention behind the camera. The version of themselves that feels free, and dare I say, beautiful.
I offer luxurious photo sessions in Calgary and the surrounding area, where you’ll have a model-for-a-day experience and be pampered, from having your hair and makeup professionally done to expert guidance from me personally on the most flattering poses to accentuate your best features. Learn more about my luxury woman portrait photography or my luxury boudoir photography.
Special Offer
When you book a session in February or March, you’ll receive a glowing facial with Bobi.
“If you want to supercharge your self-esteem and feel like a celebrity, then book an appointment with Claudia, go the extra mile for the hair and makeup (thank you Bobi), and be prepared to be amazed!” – Maxine S.
As women, we spend so much of our time doing everything we can for others and often forget to pour the same love we give to others into ourselves. This is one way to shift that.
Self-love Pro Tip
Treat this as an investment in yourself and a special experience that you’ll remember fondly, with memories that’ll last long after.
4. Try Something New
Go to the art exhibit in town you’ve always wanted to check out (Contemporary Calgary, cSpace Marda Loop and Esker Foundation to name a few), or that coffee shop that just opened up in your neighbourhood, or maybe even that new bakery that’s trending on Instagram to get out of a funk and infuse new energy into your life.
Don’t wait for others to join you; make it a weekly or monthly solo date so you can enjoy your own company and have time to really relax instead of coordinating yet another thing.
Self-love Pro Tip
Do this before or after work, and ask for help if you need it with home responsibilities or childcare, so you can carve out this time for yourself. It doesn’t need to take long; just a couple of hours is enough to recharge your batteries and give yourself a fresh perspective.
My Pick for New Activities to Try in Calgary
Visit one of Calgary’s unique neighbourhoods: Inglewood, Bridgeland, or Marda Loop.
Love nature? Visit Prince Island’s Park or the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
Want to go exploring? Check out the Telus Spark or the Studio Bell National Music Centre.
5. Date Yourself
Whether you’re in a loving long-term relationship or single, treat yourself like the most precious and beautiful gift you are. Think of ways to celebrate yourself that are unique to you to amplify what makes you happy instead of waiting for others to do so.
Love flowers? Buy yourself a bouquet every month to spruce up your home office.
Going through a rough time? Write little notes of inspiration to yourself to get through those hard days, or keep a file with the nice things people have said about you as a pick-me-up.
BONUS: Send a text to your partner and a few good friends, asking what they love about you, and tell them you’re keeping their messages for when you need them most. Do the same for them to spread joy and love.
Enjoy reading? Buy that book that’s been on your TBR list forever and that you can’t wait to read (I’m making a list of books to read, so send me a quick note with your suggestions. I’d love to add it to my list.)
Feeling off? Wear bright colours or put on a bright lipstick to lift your mood and energy.
Looking for more great ideas to nourish the relationship you have with yourself? Download my free guide: 5 Simple Ways to Feel Beautiful in Every Moment.
Self-love Pro Tip
You’re the expert on you. Take a few moments daily and ask yourself:What do I need to take care of myself right now? And then take a small action towards that.
My pick for dating yourself
I made a really cute vintage frame with lace to display and store my earrings. Almost every morning, I pick a pair that suits my mood. It’s a way to show the world how I’m feeling and to make sure I wear something that brings me joy.
6. Create a Weekly Self-care Ritual
Recognize how far you’ve come and all that you’ve accomplished by taking time for yourself each week.
It’s easy to keep focusing on the finish line or on the next thing to achieve, but take a moment to pause and reflect on how far you’ve come. Make this a weekly ritual so that over time, you build on your wins.
It could be as simple as having a gratitude journal or writing down all the wonderful things that happened for you that week. Or it could be taking a long bath with candles and music to nourish and soothe your body while you think through all the good things that happened.
Whatever it is, make it a non-negotiable so that it doesn’t fall off your list when life gets busy.
Self-love Pro tip
Leave your journal by your nightstand or on your keyboard so the first thing you do on a Sunday morning is fill it out.
My Weekly Self-care Ritual
This month, I started a weekly gratitude jar. Each Sunday morning, I write a few things that have happened in the last week that I’m grateful for. I plan to read them at the end of the year!
7. Nourish Your Body
Take a look at where you’ve been neglecting your physical body. If you used to love going to Yoga but haven’t been to a studio in years, start a regular practice again, even if it’s just at home. Enjoy being outside? Then schedule walks at lunch hour to get away from your desk and get some fresh air and exercise. If you want to eat healthier, make sure you keep healthy snacks at the office and in the pantry or create an easy meal plan on the weekends you can stick to.
Self-love Pro Tip
Instead of trying to make big, sweeping changes all at once, make small microshifts and build on them daily. Like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther away so you get a walk in before work, or adding veggies to one meal a day.
Focus on the one thing that would help your body the most at first, like making sure you’re getting enough sleep or cutting down on sugar, especially if you’ve been neglecting yourself.
My Pick for Fun Exercises
I love taking advantage of my youngest’s swimming lessons, lol! Each week during his lesson, I hop in the pool and do 30 minutes of lane swimming. I challenge myself to take shorter breaks each time. Another favourite activity is a good walk around lunch time.
Your Self-Love Quick Reference Guide
- Schedule a solo trip at the start of each year before your schedule gets filled up with everyone else’s activities and priorities.
- When starting a passion project or new hobby, take small steps. Start with just one class and go from there to make it feel less daunting and more manageable.
- Invest in a Beauty or Boudoir photography experience for yourself to create lasting memories and to remind you of the beautiful, sensual woman you are behind all of the other labels.
- Try something new to get out of a rut and feel more inspired and motivated.
- Take a few moments daily and ask yourself: What do I need to take care of myself right now? And then take a small action towards it. This is a way to make sure you’re tending to what your heart needs.
- Leave your gratitude journal by your night table or on your keyboard so the first thing you do is fill it out.
- Instead of trying to make big, sweeping changes all at once, make small microshifts and build on them daily.
