12 Monthly Self-Love Themes That Will Make This Your Best Year Yet

1. JANUARY: Gateways and Doors

A popular saying that I hear folks say often, that absolutely drives me up the wall, is "When God closes a door, he opens a window." What in the world? So, the Almighty prevents something from happening (which is usually a blessing in disguise) and then turns around and replaces it with something less? Chile, please. What life has taught me is when a door shuts, a path tends to open up that is wider than I ever expected (Ephesians 3:20-21)! It might not be one that I predicted, yet sometimes, the surprise is a part of the fun.

That's why, to me, it would only be fitting that January, the start of a new calendar year, would be all about gateways and doors. A gateway can be an entrance to a structure (like a new office building or place to live) or even an entrance to a region (like moving to another state or continent). Also, a door isn't just something that you can open in order to get from one room to another; it's also "any means of approach, admittance, or access". So this month, take some time out to think about what gateways and doors the universe is shutting and, at the same time, making available to you. Trust me, it's better to walk through something that is wide open than to keep banging your head against a wall…if you know what I mean.

JANUARY'S THEME QUESTION: What gateways and doors are making themselves available to me at this time in my life?

2. FEBRUARY: Purification

February is all about purification and I really dig that. The reason why is because purify is a really layered word. Freeing yourself from anything (or one) that debases you is a form of purification. Freeing yourself from anything (or anyone) that causes you to feel guilty or bad about yourself is a form of purification. Purging yourself of anything (or anyone) that is counterproductive, unhealthy, or flat-out toxic in your life is a form of purification.

When you let all of this resonate, purification can be about detoxing your system, ending a relationship that just isn't good for you, or breaking a habit that you know, at the end of the day, is only holding you back. Unfortunately, a lot of us are unable to progress in life because we skip a very important step when it comes to making that happen—purifying our mind, body, and soul so that we're more capable of making strides, both personally as well as professionally.

FEBRUARY'S THEME QUESTION: What can I do to free myself from anything that makes me feel unhealthy or bad about myself?

3. MARCH: Making Peace

There's a Scripture in the Bible that says, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18—NKJV) That said, it really is crazy how a lot of people claim to be Bible followers yet they conveniently edit Scriptures out like God not being the author of confusion (and whew, this world is confused about A LOT of things—I Corinthians 14:33) and peace being something that God calls us to have within ourselves and make with those around us.

The thing that I adore about peace is the fact that the Hebrew word for it is shalom and shalom means a ton of things. It means to be complete, whole, and safe. It also means to prosper, to rest, to rid yourself of agitation and discord. If you put all of this together, March is really about doing what you need to do in order to make yourself more whole, to be at rest with the people, places, things, and ideas in your life, and then to get out of a state of discord with those around you. For the sake of internal peace. And peace? There is nothing quite like it.

MARCH'S THEME QUESTION: What can I do this month so that I can feel more whole and complete?

4. APRIL: Love and Beauty

Personally, I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a woman who truly loves herself. I don't mean that someone who says it because it sounds good. I mean someone who is comfortable looking at herself in the mirror. I mean someone who can go out of the house, with or without make-up on, and feel totally fine. I mean someone who is confident enough in how the Creator made her that she sees no need to be jealous of how others look. I mean someone who doesn't fear aging because she knows that one more day—let alone one more year—on this planet is a true blessing. I mean someone who gets that, at the end of the day, beauty isn't just about what is on the outside—it's also about having character traits like femininity, grace, and a signature sense of style that is unique and unmatched.

Although the first day of spring this year is March 20, it's typically April when this season gets into full swing. That's why, it would make perfect sense that, as the flowers are in bloom, we should focus on "blooming" too.

Whatever you need to do to feel more beautiful—both inside and out—this is what you should focus on. Nurture your self-esteem. Embrace more of what makes you a woman. Do things that make you feel more beautiful like getting a new lipstick color, updating your hairstyle, or figuring out what you want to do to upgrade your closet. Relationships with other people don't matter if you don't start with loving yourself and feeling good about yourself. This should be what April is all about.

APRIL'S THEME QUESTION: What are the things that I can do to make me feel more beautiful so that I can love myself (even) more?

5. MAY: Greatness

The late track and field phenom, Wilma Rudolph, once said, "Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us." You know what? She's right. At the end of the day, being great is about using your gifts, talents, personality and individuality to leave your mark on this world.

While you might think this means that greatness isn't achieved without becoming really popular or wealthy, nothing could be further from the truth. Some people are super successful because their marriage is healthy. Some people are super successful because their kids adore them. Some people are super successful because their reputation is intact. Some people are super successful because they are able to make a comfortable living off of their passion. Some people are super successful because they love their life and have very little regret.

Greatness isn't something that others can define for you. It's also not a measure that you can compare with other folks. It's simply focusing on doing what you feel, in your spirit, will help you to make your own special mark upon this world. In May, get clear on exactly what you would desire for that to be.

MAY'S THEME QUESTION: How do I define greatness? What steps should I take to embody that definition?

6. JUNE: Well-Being. And Marriage Preparation.

I know, right? It does seem like June is kind of all over the place, but if you really stop and think about it, not really. Actually, let's tackle this one in reverse. Knowing that one of June's focuses is marriage preparation, that actually makes sense considering the fact that June and October continue to be the top months for wedding ceremonies. And listen, I counsel far too many women who were more interested in being a bride than a wife—meaning, they put more into making sure their day went off without a hitch than their actual relationship…and now they are paying dearly because of it. So, if you desire to be a wife someday, using this month to get whole from past break-ups; to get clear on what you want in a spouse while becoming that person (so many folks ignore that last part); to put your finances in order; to take your purpose to the next level; to spiritually elevate; to feel better about your body image—all of these things can put you in the position to become an awesome complement to your future king.

And what if marriage either right now or ever (check out "Single-Minded: So, What If You Like Dating But DON'T Desire Marriage?") isn't on your priority list? No worries. A lot of what I just said will still help you to become your best self, right? Devoting your time, effort and energy in June to doing whatever you can to become a better person overall is something that is well worth the investment. Spouse or no spouse.

JUNE'S THEME QUESTION: What should I do to significantly improve my overall health and well-being?

7. JULY: Youth

July comes from the name Julian and Julian means "young at heart". When I thought about that, the first thing that came to my mind was tending to your inner child. As someone who grew up with a fair share of abuse, I realize that there were certain things about the little girl in me that were not only mistreated but neglected too. For instance, I had a female family member who would say things to me like I wasn't as attractive as someone else; sometimes she even used derogatory words like "slut". And yes, I was an adolescent when she said it.

Growing up, I spent so much time trying just to shield myself from that person that I didn't realize how much those words hurt and I allowed myself to be around others who were also verbally destructive. And so, during a lot of my 30s and 40s, I made it a point to reflect on the things that were said to me that not just affected but infected my psyche. Then I became intentional about tending to those places so that I could really heal.

I say it often because, for better or for worse, it's true—adulthood really is about surviving childhood for so many of us and it's hard to be a thriving adult when areas of your childhood are fragmented. Using this month to tend to the parts of your youth that could use some healing? You won't regret it. I didn't.

JULY'S THEME QUESTION: What is my inner little girl lacking and what can I do to get into better touch with her, so that she can become healed and whole?

8. AUGUST: Self-Care

So, when I read that the emperor of Rome, Augustus Caesar, decided to name this month after himself, at first, I thought, "Gee, wasn't he full of himself?" and then I thought about how sometimes, when we put the focus solely on us, while at first, it can appear to be a selfish act, oftentimes, it's actually an act of self-care. This is what August should be all about—things that are good for your mind, body, and spirit are what deserve your undivided attention.

Read some self-help books. Go on a social media fast. Make a doctor, chiropractor, and nutritionist appointment. Don't skip out on at least a couple of mani/pedi appointments. Put "me time" on your planner. Leave work at your scheduled time. Soak in a bubble bath (or take a shower with nothing but lit candles; it's really relaxing). Tell people who drain you "no". Write yourself a love letter. Upgrade your bedroom and/or office. Cook for yourself more (and learn a few new recipes). Give yourself a scalp or foot massage. Purchase some art. Upload some new podcasts (and actually listen to them). Cultivate some habits (and boundaries) that will de-stress you. Meditate. Binge-watch nostalgic movies or television shows. Create a weekly self-care regimen. RELAX.

Devoting 31 days to nothing but self-care practices is a great way to get used to doing it, so that it will be almost like breathing, once it's time to focus on the next month.

9. SEPTEMBER: Playfulness

Do you even know how to have fun? I'm serious. When is the last time that you did something, for no other reason, than the pure enjoyment of it? If you're struggling to find the answer, use a couple of months prior to September to create your own nothing-but-fun bucket list, then devote at least a couple of days each week in this month to check things off. Try a new flavor of ice cream. Play some board games. Spend a day in the city closest to you. Rent a luxury vehicle for the weekend. Order food from a high-end restaurant. Spend the night at a swanky hotel (whether you're with someone or not). Do something for the first time. Try a liquor or weed strain that you've never had. Celebrate your birthday somewhere else. Host an adult field day with some of your friends. Change your hair color. Whatever it is, try not to overthink it. Remember, the focus is having fun. Safe, smart and not-ruin-your-life-come-October fun. Yet fun nonetheless.

SEPTEMBER'S THEME QUESTION: What are some fun things that I can do? All month long?

OCTOBER: Celebration

October is personally my favorite month of the year. I like the fall weather. I like how it's the 10th calendar month (10 is all about completion and perfection). It's also when my late father and fiancé had their birthday, and they were two of my favorite people. So, when I say that October symbolizes celebration, I definitely sat up and took note.

I don't observe holidays. I think a part of the reason is because I've always been a Seventh-Day Sabbath observer and, in Hebrew culture, that is all about celebrating creation (Genesis 2:1-3). And since Friday sunset to Saturday sunset happens every week, there is no need to long for Christmas or any other holiday; a "special day" happens all of the time.

Regardless of what your faith perception may be, I think this is a similar mentality that we should take on when it comes to how we live out our lives, in general. What I mean by that is, if you're paying even a little bit of attention, there is always something to get excited about and/or praise. If you set a goal and reached it, celebrate. If you just made a big choice (or sacrifice) that you know is gonna ultimately be for your betterment, celebrate. If you've noticed that you've been feeling better about yourself, celebrate. And during the month of October, try and celebrate one thing, every single day. Even break out a bottle of wine, on some of those days because, from what I read, October started out being all about wine consumption too. Wonderful!

OCTOBER'S THEME QUESTION: What is something that you can celebrate, each and every day of this particular month?

11. NOVEMBER: Love and Affection

The birthstone for November is topaz and that symbolizes love and affection which is why I went this route for this particular month's theme. When I think about love, it's not what Disney and Hollywood say that comes to mind. It's the Love Chapter in I Corinthians 13. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't envious. Love endures a lot. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, I personally believe that since God is love (I John 4:8&16) and we are made in his image (Genesis 1:26-28), life is all about learning how to become the literal embodiment of love. And that is something we will do until we die. As far as affection goes, that is merely an expression of love. While it can be physical like kissing, hugging, holding hands and cuddling, affection literally means devotion.

In November, think about who you claim to love and also who professes to love you. Does the love resemble the Love Chapter? When it comes to affection, when you say, "I love you" (or when you hear it), is there heartfelt devotion that is attached? Something that I am extremely cautious about, now more than ever, is just throwing the "love" word out there. No, I do not "love" ice cream like I love my godchildren. So, to avoid devaluing the word, I say I enjoy ice cream instead. Love and affection are extremely sacred. Use this month to think about who is worthy of your love, if you are appreciative of the love that is bestowed upon you and if affection is both felt as well as given.

NOVEMBER'S THEME QUESTION: Am I loving, being loved and showing affection in the best ways possible?

12. DECEMBER: Starting Over

While January is usually the year when people begin their New Year's resolutions, I actually think it's best to start applying some of your new plans in December. Not only does it take some of the pressure off (since so many other people talk about switching things up in January), it actually gives you time to ease into a new routine so that, come January, you're already in the swing of things.

Use December to ponder what you did over the past 11 months. Then think about what you want to bring into the next year and what you leave behind, always remembering that one of the beautiful things about time is it keeps moving which always gives you an opportunity to do what? START OVER. Never forget, you can always start over.

DECEMBER'S THEME QUESTION: What about this year do I want to forgive, release and start anew? What steps do I need to take in order to make that happen?

Two of the main things that keep us from making the most of the time that we have is 1) not making plans and 2) putting so much on our plate that we overwhelm ourselves and quit. That's why I definitely think that you should consider breaking up categories and hitting up one of them at a time. Knowing that you are focusing on clearing one path at a time can open up things for you in a way this year that will help you to thrive like no other, sis. Happy 2021. Walk it out. One month at a time.

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