A Valentine To Yourself: Organizing Your Home As An Act Of Self-Love <3
When you think about self-love, you may think about affirmations, journaling, self-care routines—or you might draw a complete blank. After all, what is self-love and what do affirmations or journaling have to do with loving ourselves?
What is self-love?
According to Psychology Today’s Sharon Martin, a doctor of social work and a licensed clinical social worker, self-love means “accepting yourself wholeheartedly, treating yourself with kindness and respect, and prioritizing your physical and emotional health.”
Self-love is not selfish—it’s ensuring your needs, both emotional and physical, are met— so you can show up fully for others.
Think about it: when you love and take care of someone else, what kinds of things do you do for them? Do you make sure they have three meals a day? Do you plan things that will make them happy? Do you make sure they’re clean and in a safe environment? Do you surround them with items that interest them and light them up?
Self-love is literally loving and taking care of yourself as if you are your own beloved human being.
Martin also shares why self-love is important: it lays a foundation for healthy relationships, for finding fulfillment, and to live in your own best interests.
Here are some examples of how self-love nurtures healthy relationships and a more fulfilled life:
Knowing Yourself: Setting boundaries and saying “no” when you need rest or some alone time.
How knowing yourself helps: When you set boundaries and stick with them, people better understand and respect your needs. People are not mind-readers!
Moving Your Body: When you prioritize your health by exercising and choosing nutritious foods, you take care of your physical body and make sure you are able to function more easily.
How physical health helps: People with healthy habits and a good exercise regimen are able to show up for themselves and others for the physical demands of life. You can help someone build furniture or move into a new house.
Mindfulness Practices: If you’ve ever done any meditation or journaling as part of your daily routine, you probably know how this contributes to overall mental clarity and self-understanding.
How mindful practices help: Practices like meditation and journaling allow you to access your inner self. When you regularly check in, you are able to figure out SO MUCH about yourself. This contributes to knowing yourself and finding your best practices for inner peace and a balanced life.
Seeking Help: Booking therapy sessions or asking for support when feeling overwhelmed. We are not islands—sometimes, we all could use a helping hand.
How seeking help helps: A therapist or counselor can be invaluable to help you navigate a difficult time or even help you process where you are in life. Even if you identify as a loner and self-sufficient type, we are all humans at our core and outside influences can be useful for trying times.
All of the above reflect a commitment to your well-being. When you’re healthy in your physical, mental, and emotional spaces, you are better able to show up for bigger things in life such as family, kids, career, or even your community.
We also know about another HUGE way to practice self-love: organize and maintain your home like it’s your sanctuary.
Believe it or not, tidying up your space can be a profound way to practice self-love.
Organizing Your Space = Self-Love
Stress and anxiety reduction:
Clutter can lead to feelings of confusion and tension. An organized home creates calmness and a sense of well-being.Better focus and productivity:
A tidy environment means less distractions, allowing you to concentrate better and be more efficient in your tasks.Tidy means efficient:
When your home is tidy, everything you need is accessible. This small shift means you're valuing your time and energy rather than adding unnecessary frustration.Letting go of guilt:
Holding onto items out of guilt often ties us to the past. Decluttering these items is a way of choosing your happiness over obligations that no longer serve you.Making space for what matters:
When you clear physical clutter, you make room for the things you genuinely enjoy—whether it’s a hobby, meaningful décor, or simply empty space that feels refreshing.
How do you start organizing with self-love in mind?
Set intentions in a self-compassionate way: Instead of saying, “I need to fix my messy home,” say, “I deserve to live in a space that feels good.”
Start small: Begin with one drawer or shelf rather than tackling an entire room.
Celebrate progress: Acknowledge every small step you take, just as you would in other self-love practices.
A reminder: it’s not about perfection
Practicing self-love through organizing doesn’t mean your home has to look like a Pinterest board. It’s about creating a space that supports your needs and makes you feel good.
When you take the time to organize your home, you’re sending yourself a powerful message: I care about me.
We care about you, too!
This Valentine’s season, treat yourself to a fast-tracked act of self-love by getting OFG to help you organize and curate your special sanctuary.
Book a call, and we can chat more about what you’re looking to accomplish in your space and how we can get you there, or:
Book a service and we will see you for your own tidying marathon!
Cited Source:
Martin, Sharon. “The Power of Self-Love.” PsychologyToday, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/conquering-codependency/202306/the-power-of-self-love?utm_source=chatgpt.com. 21 Jan 2025
