I love love in all its forms. It is what makes you, me, us go round. As we are in the month of love, I want to write about just this topic.

As creatives, I think many struggle with love in ways that are unique to our industry, especially when it comes to ourselves. We can take a lot of rejection over a prolonged period, so much so that we begin to believe that we and our work are, well, not so much – that is a harsh position to take with oneself. And as storytellers, especially writers, we spend a ton of time alone, which can amplify our struggles around love. Although as spinners of words, images, and sound, we really do need this alone time both to create and recharge, sometimes heal.

So, I want to share a story about a seemingly perfect date with a charming Greek gentleman, which took an unexpected turn and became a valuable lesson in alone time and self-love. Then, offer some practical advice on nurturing yourself.

Picture this: a captivating evening with a tall, dark Greek. It all seemed perfect until he dropped the one line that changed everything: I do not ever like to be alone, ever, not even for coffee.

The screeching halt in my head was deafening. What? Never? Even for someone tall, dark, and Greek, that was a deal-breaker. As I unraveled my unexpected reaction, I had a revelation about the profound importance of alone time and how much I cherished it.

The Power Of Alone Time

Cherished moments of solitude are transformative. They let you reflect, grow, and embrace your freedom without judgment. Alone time is not a luxury; it is a necessity for becoming who you want to be, for allowing your creativity to flourish. The thought of being with someone who cannot be alone jeopardizes the time when I reflect and grow as a human, the time I chat to myself out loud or move silently through space, the time I walk around my place naked because it is so hot or dress like Nanook from the North because it is so cold, the time I can either dance or cry. While you can do all the above things with a partner, it is not the same as being in your singleness, your oneness. When you can honestly see who you are and figure out how to course-correct if needed. I did not consciously understand how vital “alone time” is until I saw the possibility of it no longer being available.

Journeying Into Self-Love

For a long time, I struggled with what self-love meant. Like many of us, I equated it with self-centeredness, selfishness, ego, and vanity, all of which have negative connotations that can bring on a negative self-image. However, self-love does not have to be narcissism; it can be self-care, self-directedness, self-compassion, and self-forgiveness. It is becoming your own best friend, companion, and playmate.

The Practice Of Embracing Your Own Company

Use these inspiring quotes and actionable tips to nurture a positive relationship with yourself.

"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." ~ Oscar Wilde

Take a moment for self-reflection and appreciate something wonderful about yourself.

"Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others." ~ Parker Palmer

Dedicate a day to self-care, doing things that bring you joy and relaxation.

"The only journey is the one within." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Write down three things you love about yourself and your life.

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." ~ Oprah Winfrey

Start your day with positive affirmations about love and kindness.

"You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce." ~Tony Gaskins

Set healthy boundaries in a relationship to ensure mutual respect and understanding.

"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." ~ Marcel Proust

Reflect on an experience that taught you a valuable lesson about love.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~ Albert Einstein

Take a nature walk, appreciating the beauty around you.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures." ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Engage in expressive arts, whether drawing, writing, or music, to express your feelings of love.

"Where words fail, music speaks." ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Create a playlist of songs that express feelings of love and share it with someone special.

"Movies can be like a glue for relationships, bonding people through shared stories and emotions."~ Roger Ebert

Be the glue for the relationship you have with yourself, have a movie night, enjoying films that celebrate love.

You Complete Yourself

Learn to love yourself and your company. Be with others because you want to, not need to, even for coffee. You do not depend on someone else for companionship. You already do that for yourself--this is powerful knowledge. So, embrace solitude, cherish self-love. Take time to reflect on your creative journey. How can you deepen your connection with yourself and your craft? Your story is yours, and the love within guides your creativity.

Available now Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want. Voted “Best Personal Development Book of the Year 2024” by Best Holistic Life

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