It's Valentine's Day on Saturday, in case you hadn't heard! I debated for quite some time about what approach I was going to take for my Love theme this week. I decided to focus on being kind to yourself, at home, or when traveling; after all, not everyone has a spouse or significant other in his or her life at the moment. Since I am a woman, the things in my Love picture above...
...reflect that, but gentlemen just replace some of the items with your favorite things, and you get the message. Whether it's looking at photos and reminiscing, watching a good movie, scrapbooking, dancing, or eating chocolates, there are many things that make me happy. In fact, I'm participating in the #100happydays challenge, and have been documenting my progress on my Travel with Mrs. T. Instagram and Facebook accounts; I'm on Day 15. I'm generally a happy person, but last fall, I took a course through edX called The Science of Happiness, and continue to regularly check the Greater Good Science Center's website. In January, there was a great article entitled, Five Foolproof Ways to Feel More Joy in 2015, and I love the first one, which is to have a grateful heart, and be thankful for all that you have.
When I moved to the Netherlands six months ago, I knew I wanted to travel to as many places as possible throughout Europe. As I started to post pictures on Facebook, one of my friends posted, "Zhleuw", which means I'm jealous in Greek. Though she said it in jest, it made me truly appreciate how blessed I am to be living in a different country, and traveling to so many wonderful cities. My heart is full with the experiences I am having with my husband and friends, as well as the wandering and learning I do alone in Utrecht.
If you aren't already, find time to do activities that make you happy. I joined a wonderful club for women in Utrecht, and go on museum trips, walks in various parks (image above), and make wonderful crafts, like the heart in my hand, at sewing circles. Spending time with friends has always made me happy, and since I am not working while in Europe, I didn't want to just sit around all day, though after working for 34 of the last 37 years, that could have been a good thing! I love to read, and belong to a book club; my Nook goes everywhere with me, but I also love the feel of a real book (one of my best friends gave me the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon in paperback as a going away gift last summer). If you have small children, finding time for yourself can be difficult, but try putting on music you love in the car while chauffeuring them somewhere, or dance while you're doing the dishes (yes, I do that, but not around company)! Maybe a dream vacation isn't possible this year, or even in the near future, so investigate and find fun new things to do in your home town. Experience the awe that you get from observing nature; sunrises and sunsets are free--find some new vantage points!
The bottom line--love yourself, this week (especially on Valentine's Day) and every week!
The bottom line--love yourself, this week (especially on Valentine's Day) and every week!