Valentine’s Day – Rebel at Heart

Valentine’s Day – Rebel at Heart

by marlies|dekkers

For some people, love grows slowly. “Like a beautiful flower, opening its petals one by one,” they’ll swoon. How peaceful that must be! When I fall in love, it’s the opposite of peaceful. Flowers blossoming? More like fireworks exploding! In my face! As soon as love hits me, I see the world through rose–colored glasses. Everything looks more brilliant, more beautiful, more alive. Normally a minimalist, I now go for anything pink, gold and glittery. And I’ll break more than just style rules. For my love, I’ll break any rules. My rebel heart has woken up.

“What would you do for love?” I’ve been asked. Well, what would I not do? I’ve bragged, swagged, worn disguises, climbed walls, gone without sleep for 3 days. I spent money I didn’t have and jumped on a plane to Korea for someone I only met once. All of it without any effort. My rebel heart granted me superpowers! Not all these stories had happy endings, of course. (The best thing I brought back from Korea was a kimchi obsession). But once the tears dried up, I would smile and ask myself: “Wow, did I really do all those crazy things?”. Missing the delirium and desire–fueled superpowers, I couldn’t wait to fall in love again.

Till one day, it hit me: why wait for another person to set my rebel heart on fire? Why not put on those rose–colored glasses, look in the mirror and fall madly in love with myself? We talk about ‘self–love’ and ‘self–care’, but always with some reserve. Whether it’s shame, modesty or the fear of seeming too full of ourselves; something is holding us back. So, this Valentine’s, let’s go all out! Let’s try something completely rebellious: radical self–love. Start by looking at yourself the way a lover would: hungry and lustful. Trace your curves with your fingers, feel the softness of you skin (you may want to wear your favorite lingerie). Be shameless, turn yourself on. Talk to yourself. Forget ‘you are enough’. Say: ‘you are AMAZING!’. Don’t just like yourself, be CRAZY IN LOVE with yourself. So crazy, that you’ll do anything for you; all the things you would do for your dream lover. Go ahead, break all the rules. Because you are not just a rebel. You are a rebel with a hugely important cause: your own happiness and wellbeing.

Happy Valentine’s!

 

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