Oh, Valentine’s Day, the made-up holiday for large companies to profit from. Not going to lie—it’s exhausting.

Going from one holiday to the next, and then another one creeps up.

I know it has already passed, but there are still things we can do to take care of our own wellbeing during this time of the year and to give ourselves the love that we need.

1. Take a much-needed bath with bath bombs, a lathering bath elixir, maybe a nice face mask, and your favorite body wash. Option to add some rose petals or loose tea to the water.
2. Wear something that helps you feel confident. Even if it’s a black gothic outfit, put it on! There is something special about getting ready, even if you end up staying home. Who cares. Do it for you. (This helps when I’m pumping myself up to write. I try to look beautiful to make the ritual a positive one.)
3. Read a clean, yet juicy, romance novel that lifts your spirit (like Hatred For Bugs). I know a lot of people have a hard time with love because of something that has happened in the past. That was me once upon a time. I, too, completely gave up on love until I met the love of my life, Mark. Love is possible and will come at exactly the right time—I mean it.
4. Do something you’ve been putting off for months/years. You’d be surprised to see how freeing it feels to listen to those unspoken desires. Here are a few examples: trying out pottery, cooking a meal with your original roots in mind, dancing to loud music, writing a messy, hilarious short story, or painting using any medium without judgment.
5. Take yourself on a date. Yep, I said it. Let go of the awkwardness and go enjoy something by yourself for once. You deserve to be pampered. God adores you, and you should love you too.

What’s more important than making sure that day is perfect is living each day, loving yourself more and more. Listening to what you truly need.

Recently, I’ve been learning about how much I’ve been ignoring my own needs. I overthink like crazy. My mind just doesn’t stop. Why? Because I am not listening, and it thinks it has to force its way in.

On Valentine’s weekend, I painted this beauty. Someday, I truly believe that my art will become a luxury collectible. It’s going to go viral, and buyers are going to purchase my entire stock of original artworks. It will be as hard to get as in-demand Pokémon cards. A dream that will stick around for eternity.

Hatred For Bugs is now on Kindle Unlimited. The clean romance could really use some reviews. Not only would it help me a ton, but my writing could improve with more feedback.

My love for this story will never cease—sales or no sales. A journey of finding oneself, dealing with the past, and finding love in the most unexpected ways.

I plan on changing the timeline of newsletters I send out, just because the rest of the year is going to be filled with editing the two books I’ve been working on. Not writing feels like a crime. I’m planning on posting in the beginning and towards the middle of the month.

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Be blessed and remember to love yourself,

Victoria Loria