A H.E.A.R.T.F.E.L.T. Treat, For You 💘

If I were handing out valentines to every reader, this is what they would be.

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I’ll never be shy about my love of all things pink, purple (technically lavender), and adorned with hearts and thus I've always enjoyed Valentine’s Day for more than its romantic undertones. In fact, I think of it more as a girly holiday than anything else. Even my husband told our kids “Valentine’s Day is mommy’s holiday”— did we get it backwards? No, I think we have it right. I’ll proudly take the reins; I don’t need a lover to control the cutest holiday of the year anyway (but he better write me a poem!).

So sure, we make the tiny paper hearts, wear our frilly pink things, and curl up with a book who’s charmingly adorable illustrated cover could not be passed up. But at its core, it’s about love—for ourselves and for others, in all its forms.

To celebrate, I’m sharing a H.E.A.R.T.F.E.L.T. collection of little treats, recommendations, and cozy joys—for you to love on yourself or share with someone special. If I had a pack of my favorite Hello Kitty valentines to distribute to each of your bedazzled shoeboxes these are the sentiments I’d want them to offer. One thing we can never give too much of, or receive enough of, is love. So in honor of Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or simply the fact that the world could always use a little more love—I hope you enjoy.

H — Hear

Is that Cupid strumming his harp? Not quite, but arguably better!

• words of wisdom from Emmy’s Life Talks on YouTube will absolutely brighten your day and lift your spirits in a mere 5 minutes.

• an uplifting valentine song, the most beautiful songs in the world, or if you’re curious— some of my favorite love songs.

• cultivate calm vibes with an ambiance video on in the background, the perfect enhancement to the everyday mundane, savor it all.

• a 5-minute guided meditation or a 10-minute loving-kindness meditation.

E — Enjoy

You don’t need to spend money to enjoy your life, you also don’t need to wait or have permission. 💞 Here are 20 low lift and high reward things you can enjoy today. Buy the flowers if you want, but also it’s okay if you’d rather…

• take a walk— this can feel especially rewarding in the winter, layer up and set off!

• catch the sunrise or sunset— two majestic events that happen right outside our door every day.

• make a playlist for someone— an ode to the old mixtape days.

• play a game— even a simple deck of cards will do the trick and check your local library, many offer a selection of games available to borrow! Here are some of my favorites.

• draw or doodle— any materials work here, no need for a trip to the craft store. Not sure where to start? Try drawing your breakfast or grocery list.

• dance— put on your favorite music and shake it!

• take a bath or an everything shower— indulge in a little extra time lathering up and feel rejuvenated afterwards.

• listen to a podcast— The Wellness Scoop is my favorite at the moment but here’s a great list of 9 standout podcasts hosted by women, for women.

• paint your nails— I like this sweet and simple approach but if you have a skilled hand then this is really cute too.

• read— scroll down for some recommendations or pull a child on your lap and read a stack of books with them. You can also enjoy children’s books just for yourself.

• give yourself a facial massage— enjoy!

• make a nourishing meal— One of my favorites is this comforting dill chowder (I made it last night even!) paired with a crusty hunk of sourdough bread—I almost always have the ingredients on hand (I use dried dill and toss in shredded kale and white beans for extra heartiness).

• write a love letter to someone— or a love letter to yourself, or both!

• open the windows— let some fresh air into your home, even a little burst feels refreshing in the middle of winter.

• watch a comfort show or movie— If you don’t have cable or streaming services available (or even if you do) try Nigella Bites reruns on YouTube, pure comfort!!

• write a poem— may I recommend an easy entry point for any person— the limerick? Or perhaps some magnetic poetry? Have fun.

• light a candle and sip something warm— soak in the stillness for a moment, even if just a few minutes.

• do a brain game— sudoku, word searches or crosswords.

• call your grandmother— or anyone else you want to check in on, it doesn’t have to be a long conversation, just a friendly hello.

• go to bed early— luxury at its finest!

A - Appreciate

What ways can we take a moment to appreciate ourself and others? Conversation hearts got nothin’ on these.

• gratitude journal— Who or what are you grateful for today? Write down five things that fill your heart.

• I’m making affirmation heart chains, with personalized affirmations, for each of my children. Now that my older boys can read, I think these will be powerful reminders for them to hang by their beds and revisit every day. For my two younger kiddos, this will support the practice of introducing affirmations to them by reminding me to say them to them.

• join me for my positivity project and leave a review or message of appreciation for your favorite restaurant, local small business or online creator. These small acts can go a long way!

• Take a moment during your day to appreciate what the earth provides for us— the crisp cold air to breathe, the food that grows through the soil and nourishes our bodies, the sun that elevates our mood, the birds that entertain us with songs outside our windows. There is so much to appreciate about our natural world, take time to notice it today and do something for the earth in return.

R - Read

What can we do to heighten our empathy for others and our understanding of ourselves? Read. 💞 Also, books are romantic, so here are a few that feel like a hug: