a thoughts to unfold…
You are the greatest love story of your life.
Yet when we think about love, we often think of someone else—a partner, a friend, a child, a pet. And when we think of those we love most, we know that love isn’t just a feeling. It’s a practice—something we nurture through patience, understanding, forgiveness, and care. We celebrate them. We champion them. We give them grace. We choose them, over and over again.
What if you offered yourself that same kind of love?
inspiration is everywhere…
A week or two ago, I was up in Vermont. I lived there for most of my adult life, about 16 years. And if you’ve ever lived anywhere else I’m sure you know the feeling of returning to a place that used to be home.
All the memories start coming back and you think of all the people and places and things you’ve loved. I thought of my best friend who I love more than life itself and her children who I’ve watched grow up, and how lucky I am that they are still such a huge part of my life. I think of the mountains and snowboarding and the beauty of being outdoors and what a glorious gift that is. And…it also makes me think of some of the not so great things, like my shitty ex boyfriend who left some difficult memories that are really hard to forget.
As I walked through the familiar streets and visited old spots, I felt surrounded by the ghosts of my past selves—different versions of me from years ago. Some of those versions were full of hope, some of uncertainty, and some were still in the middle of figuring it all out. Whatever “it” is. Some were adventurous and full of life and successful, others scared and empty.
I was reminded of how these past versions of me are all a part of me and who I am, some joyful, some painful, some moments I wish I could get back, some I’d rather never think of again, but all a part of my story.
With it being Valentine’s Day, I’ve been thinking a lot about love and self-love. When we think of the people we love—friends, family, lovers, pets—we don’t expect them to be perfect, because we know they can’t be. We accept them for who they are, flaws and all. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. We give them grace. We celebrate them. We champion them. And we choose them, over and over again.
For some reason though, when it comes to ourselves, we don’t always offer the same. But the thing is, the longest relationship, the longest love, you will ever have in this life is you. From your very first breath until your last, it has always been you. Every chapter. Every twist and turn. Every smile, every heartbreak. Moments of joy, moments of despair. You. you. you. Always you. Always there.
Loving yourself is a practice, just like loving others. It takes time. It’s something we nurture with patience, with forgiveness, with care. We choose ourselves, again and again, even in the moments where we feel less than. And just like any relationship, the more we show up with compassion and understanding, the stronger our love becomes.
The beautiful thing about self-love is that the more we practice loving ourselves, the more we are able to be love in the world—more patient, more understanding, more open with others. And we all know the world can you use more that right now. Our yoga practice is a good reminder of that, too. Accepting what is. Being curious. Open.
Let this month and this practice be a reminder to love yourself—all of you. The parts you're proud of, the ones you’re still learning from, and the ones that need more grace. Each is so deserving of all the love.
The way you love yourself shapes the way you experience everything else in this life.
thoughts for practice…
journal prompts
Pick one or two that speak to you—or move through them all.
What does loving myself look like in my daily life—not in theory, but in practice?
When do I feel most supportive toward myself? When do I tend to abandon myself?
How have all versions of me helped shape who I am today?
What is one small way I can love myself today?
When do I feel most at home in myself?
What helps me return to myself when I feel disconnected?
I love me because... (write from here)
Before you begin…
Gently close the windows of your eyes.
Bring your hands to your heart, right hand stacked over left.
Take a big inhale through the nose.
Then slow, steady exhale through the mouth.
Feel your heart beating beneath your hands. Acknowledge the power in knowing this heart has been beating for you since the very first day you entered this world.
Tell yourself, “I love you.”
Then begin writing.
Reflections of your practice
The next time you step onto your mat, ask yourself:
What does love look like this morning?
Celebration?
Grace?
Kindness?
Patience?
Maybe love looks like effort, showing up fully and trying again.
Maybe it looks like softening. Or staying.
Maybe it looks like resting when your body asks for pause.
Notice any thoughts that show up as you move, observe them, then keep moving. Let your breath guide you back whenever your mind wanders or your inner critic tries to take the mic.
Each inhale, an invitation to stay. Each exhale, a chance to begin again. Every breath a return.
Your practice isn’t asking you to be perfect. Only to be present.
With your breath, your body, your greatest love…you.
take this with you…
Self-love, like any other type of love, isn’t just a feeling, it’s a practice, a choice—a commitment to showing up for yourself, day after day. It’s choosing yourself in moments of doubt, choosing kindness for yourself when you feel you’re anything but. It’s offering yourself grace when you stumble and celebrating yourself when you shine. And even when you don’t.
The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself. The heart that lives in this body right here—the one that’s been beating for you since the day one, the one that will be there for you until the very end.
You are worthy of all the love, compassion and understanding you so freely give to others. You are your greatest love story.
—this reflection comes from a classes taught 2.12-16.2026—
Ps. Every volume has its own vibe—press play and let this one unfold.