Hey there, friend! For the month of February, I want to introduce you to something incredibly important: the concept of self-love. It’s a concept I wish hadn’t taken 30+ years for me to recognize. And now I can’t keep myself from spreading the love! It’s about wholeheartedly acknowledging, valuing, and appreciating who you are, embracing your unique strengths and quirks, and treating yourself with kindness and respect. Self-love goes beyond just feeling good about yourself; it’s the foundation of your well-being, a priority that ensures you’re at your best for yourself and others.
Why Self Love Matters
Self-love empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with grace, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive self-image even when things don’t go as planned. It’s understanding that it’s okay not to be perfect and that mistakes are part of our humanity. Moreover, self-love encourages us to set healthy boundaries, make time for our passions, and seek help when needed.
Self-love isn’t selfish; it’s a journey that allows us to authentically give and receive love and respect. It helps us make choices aligned with our well-being and values, ultimately leading to happier, more fulfilling lives and healthier relationships.
Today, we’ll embark on a unique Valentine’s Day Motor/Self-Love Ritual designed to help us embrace self-love in a tangible and meaningful way. This activity is simple and a fantastic way to nurture our love for ourselves.
Note: Each step of this activity has an item and a script that symbolizes a concept. Recite the scripts to wrap your ritual with intention as you place items into the box.Â
Valentine's Day Motor/Self-Love Ritual 🫶
Ps. I got all my materials from the Dollar Store! But I added Amazon links for your convenience.
- Tiny tin bucket
- Table scatter
- Plastic tea lights
- Tea light cup
- Fake flowers
- Sticky notes
- Tiny plastic containers
- Affirmations (see below)
- Sticker letters
- Love coupons and other trinkets
- Self-love box (This can be a container, bin, shoebox, etc. Ensure all your items fit.)
Step 2: Filling Your Self-Love Box and Beginning Your Ritual
Place your self-love box in front of the speller. Take the tiny tin bucket and start filling it with table scatter, then pour the table scatter into the box. Each time, ask your student to spell or to think (if not open) of something they love about themselves, something that makes them unique or brings them joy. Repeat this process three times, symbolizing the importance of filling your bucket before giving to others.
Your script: “Filling your bucket first is like putting on your oxygen mask before helping others on an airplane. It means taking care of yourself before caring for others. When you prioritize self-love and self-care, you ensure enough emotional and mental energy to be there for yourself and those you care about. This way, you can offer support and love from a place of strength and abundance, which leads to healthier relationships and a happier life.”
Step 3: Lighting Your Inner Light
Open up the plastic tea lights and gather the tea light cup. Take your time unpackaging, because purposeful motor, right?!Â
As you help the student turn on the light, place the tealight in the cup, and then put the cup in the box—Recite this script: “Turning into our light means tapping into our inner strength and resilience, even during challenging times. Just as a candle can pierce through darkness, our inner brightness helps us find hope and joy amidst adversity. By embracing our inner light, we gain the power to not only navigate difficult situations but also to illuminate the lives of others with our presence. It’s a reminder that no matter the circumstances, we can shine and bring light to both our path and those around us.”
Step 4: Embrace the Beauty of Life
Step 5: Affirmations of Self-Love
Use sticky notes and tiny plastic containers to write affirmations (assist with writing).Â
Your script: “These affirmations should remind you of your worth, strength, and potential. We will place them in your self-love box, creating a reservoir of affirmations you can reflect on later.”
The way I preferred to do it was nice and easy. As I recited the affirmations, I wrote them down, handed them to the speller for folding, and then placed them in the tiny plastic containers. As a motor hack, you can fold the sticky notes in advance to make them adaptable to fold. Always consider the speller’s motor abilities. The lids to the tiny plastic containers were stiff and rigid to open.
Affirmations we used:Â
– I am enough, and my worth is not defined by external validation or achievements.
– I celebrate my successes, no matter how small, recognizing they are steps towards my goals.
– I am a work in progress and moving closer to becoming the best version of myself every day.
– I am worthy of love and respect, just as I am.
– I embrace my strengths and accept my weaknesses with compassion.
– I can overcome obstacles; every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
– My body works hard for me, and I work hard for my body.*
*Note about the last affirmation: This is a mantra my students know all too well. You see, I experience Multiple Sclerosis, and I had to overcome my own self-limiting beliefs about what my body was capable of. I devised this mantra for myself and quickly realized it was also helpful for my spellers.
Step 6: Personal Touch
Write “A Gift of Self-Love to Myself,” along with the student’s name using sticker letters. Add a love coupon and other cute trinkets that are special. You can decorate the box however you’d like or get one already decorated.
Step 7: Continue the Journey
This self-love ritual is something you can repeat whenever you need a little extra love and care. Not just during the month of February, It’s a beautiful way to nurture your spirit and remind yourself of your worth.
Happy Month of LOVE 🫶! Remember that self-love is an ongoing journey, and it’s okay to be imperfect. By taking time for self-care and self-appreciation, you can lead a happier, more fulfilling life and share that love with the world. So, go ahead and give yourself the gift of self-love; you deserve it! This self-love ritual is dedicated to my girlie, CQ. I enjoy your company, and I am honored to be your friend. ❤
About the Author
Hi there! I’m a parent who knows firsthand the incredible journey of raising not one, but two autistic children—one who speaks and one who communicates through the letter board. This path has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, filled with triumphs and challenges, but above all, it’s a road that leads to profound transformation.
My professional background is as eclectic as it gets: I’ve served in the U.S. Air Force, worked as a Pediatric Certified Nursing Assistant, dabbled as a Digital Audience Strategist, and proudly own Hellomedio.com. I’m a true chameleon on a mission, known for diving in headfirst and apologizing later. I’m unafraid of making mistakes, embracing change, and advocating for quality of care and quality of life, especially for my family and close friends. But what truly drives me is learning how I can be a better CRP and Advocate for the Non-Speaking community. As a parent of a non-speaking autistic son who’s found his voice through S2C, I’ve witnessed the life-changing power of communication. I’ve seen it in my son’s journey, and I continue to witness it in my students. They have the desire and the ability to learn communication by spelling. I understand the fear that can creep in when hope feels distant after years of disappointing approaches, but I took a leap of faith, and it paid off. I’m here because I believe it’s my purpose to help others on this journey. Together, we’ll unlock the power of spelling to communicate. You can find me building my business in Baker City, Oregon at spellingallies-s2c.com serving the rural areas of Eastern Oregon and the Treasure Valley in Idaho.
