​February is the month of LOVE! Couples spend a lot of time and money planning Valentine's Day activities for their significant others. This year I plan to switch things up this month and chose to love me first! I'm going to use my time, energy, and resources to show love to myself too. Without loving yourself first, you can't effectively love others. Below are some "Love You First" ideas you can explore this month as well!


1.  Escape Room - Have you ever said I want to be in a relationship with someone that's going to stimulate my mind? If that's you, I got you!  You can intellectual stimulate your own mind and have fun at the same time via an escape room. Even though it's advertised as a team building activity, it's definitely something you can do solo! Most escape rooms gladly accept a single person to complete a team roster. The themed adventure usually lasts an hour and you team up with others to solve clues to escape a room. Google escape rooms in your area to find one close to you!  

2.  Nature Adventure - Outdoor activities are great for engaging with nature and getting in tune with oneself. Being outside and having time away from technology can be both refreshing and replenishing. More importantly, you'll also get in some physical exercise! Search your local parks or outdoor centers to see what activities they have scheduled this month. Most offer hiking, obstacle courses, or walking trails. If you're located in area of colder climates, your local parks or recreation centers my offer some indoor activities as well.  

3.  ‎Reservations for One - Take advantage of the opportunity to spend quality time with yourself and get your eat on! Make reservations for one at your favorite or upscale restaurant. Put on your favorite outfit and treat yourself to a delicious meal. Be sure to order dessert whether before or after the meal; splurge on the calories for this special occasion honoring the value you bring to the table. 

​4.  Love Letter - Write a Love Letter to yourself! It may sound silly, but trust me it'll be fun, healing, and inspiring. Begin the letter explaining why you're writing it. Expound on its importance and impact you desire for it to have. Then share the things you love about yourself and why. Continue with what growth you desire to see in the relationship with yourself. End the letter with affirmations. Remind yourself why you value the relationship you have with yourself. 
 
5.  Treat Yourself - I like to call this one "retail therapy" and it's one of my favorites! Treat yourself to something nice. I recommend you go out to a store instead of shopping online. Get out and try on your purchase in person. Be sure to catwalk in the dressing room and wink at yourself in the mirror before you pivot! Remind yourself that you're worth sowing into and rock the piece you purchase like the queen that you are. 

6.  Adult Coloring Book -  Adult coloring is an activity I enjoy doing in my free time. Coloring can be therapeutic, relaxing, and healing. It's a great way to escape the noise of your world and drift into the calm of shapes and colors. This activity is an inexpensive self-care practice you can continue throughout the year!  

I want to encourage you to love on you first! I know for some this statement my sound selfish. Trust me, it really is not. It's a necessity for self-preservation. So, go on and show some love to yourself, because can't nobody love you better than you! 

I often run into people who share with me dreams and visions they once had that were never fulfilled. These dreams were deferred not because they didn't have the skills or talents to pull it off, but LIFE simply happened. Something or someone became more of a priority and they had to put their vision on the back burner. I always try to encourage them and remind them that it's never too late to start over and pursue their dreams.

Then for some, they never take time away from their busy lifestyles to focus on themselves and what they desire. They may view it as being selfish, but I see it as self-preservation. There's nothing wrong with sowing into yourself and your vision; you are WORTH IT!

I want to encourage you to carve out some time for yourself. Use that time to determine what steps you need to take to make your deferred dreams a reality. And most importantly, start regularly practicing self-care. Meditation is a great and free self-care practice. Use your meditation time to focus on what you desire and things you want to accomplish. Be encouraged and love on you!

​Tonya - Visionary of Accented Glory

Do you practice self-care? 

What are some other self-care practices that you recommend?

Please comment with your answers below! 

In 2014, the Accented Glory Naturals Facebook group hosted a healthy scalp challenge. Healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Like a vegetable garden needs good soil to produce good crops; a healthy scalp yields healthy hair.
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Properly caring for your scalp can also be beneficial for your overall health. Scalp care is relaxing and relieves tension. Check out 4 questions at Dear Curl Friend that we answered for our Facebook group members from the challenge!

Our visionary continues to receive some great questions via Ask Our Visionary (AOV)! After sharing about her healthy weight loss journey, she received the question below. Click AOV to submit a question to her and she'll answer your question in a blog post on Accessory Diva!

My recent Ask Our Visionary response about losing weight after 40 has sparked some interesting questions! One of Accented Glory's followers submitted the following question: Belly fat after 45 is hanging on...What can I do? I decided to pass this question on to my nutritionist ShLanda of Balanced By Burton! Check out her Facebook Live response below!

​Tonya - Visionary of Accented Glory​
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ShLanda - Balanced By Burton

To learn more about ShLanda and the services she provides visit her Facebook page at Balanced By Burton!

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​I've been amazed at the difference these small changes have made! I have lost a total of 30 lbs and inches in my chest, waist, and hips. I'm so glad that I made my health a priority and sought the service of a nutritionist. My nutritionist ShLanda is very knowledgeable and has been very supportive. To learn more about nutrition and it's impact on weight loss like ShLanda's Facebook page at Balanced By Burton. Nutrition could be your missing link too!

Tonya - Visionary of Accented Glory

To learn more about my healthy journey click I Reached My Goal.