For some of you. 

Others will have to wait until the World’s National Day of Love next week. 

Wow, those Valentine’s Day decorations were put up lightning quick, seemingly, within the first few days of the new year.

And, strangely at the same time, those Lost Lovers posters have vanished, the sticky, torn edges left behind on many now naked poles.

Coincidence?

You must have noticed the lack thereof on your way to work in the morning.

Speaking of work, how does it feel to be back in the swing of daily life? Hustling and bustling to get to work on time. That smell of petrol and too-much-perfume in the air. Grinding all day and night. Feeling that satisfaction after completing a task or project on time and with good results. Dealing with co-workers or employees. Nearly flipping a desk at the thought of having to field yet another question from someone who clearly did not read the entire email. Comparing holiday gossip stories with your work-bestie. Hearing how exhausted everyone was at the end of the year. Realising that you actually need to find that work-life balance you kept counselling your colleagues about last year. 

You know what they say.

Stress is a Killer.

Were you able to destress and rest enough this holiday? Could you Whoosah (Google is your friend)? Did you use all of the various Januworry excuses to get out of events and birthdays and hangouts just so you could have some time for yourself? Or were you guilted into going anyway.

How about, instead of February being a month in which we show our love for others, we also show some love to ourselves. 

Don’t put off establishing those routines or practices that will allow you to give time and care to yourself. 

Today, read that book you’ve been meaning to. Ask your family to give you 10 minutes alone (or at least not talking/without questions/etc)  at the end of the day to unwind from work. Do your morning meditations. Take a walk. Go outside and enjoy the sun. Talk to that friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Watch a movie. Do nothing without feeling like you should be doing something. Sign up for those adult martial arts classes and live your Karate Kid dream.

Take care of the body you live in too (wax on, wax off).

Try not to rush through your hair routine or skip a step in your skincare or personal hygiene. Soon, it becomes a get-it-over-and-done-with chore and you leave less and less time to yourself, filling it with other things you think are more important. Don’t just go through the motions as quickly as you can. Do it properly, the way you want to do it so you don’t have regrets later looking at your limp hair because you thought a 5 minute treatment would take too long. 

You’re important too. 

Always keep yourself in mind. 

Spoil yourself this month. Go out and buy that cute hat to protect your face from the sun. Get that R300 sunscreen that you know works. Or you get those satin pillowcases you’ve been eyeing from The H Word. See what we did there?

Valentine’s Gifts for who?

For you. 

Let us know how you’ve been doing and how it feels to be back to the daily grind.

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway and give yourself the gift of a truly luxurious self-care package. Details on TikTok. 

• The H Word