Struggling with Self-Worth? Watch This | Letting Go of Doubt & Discover Why You Are Worthy | Ep.6

Hello my friends and welcome to a heartfelt episode, because today is Valentine's Day. You know, growing up in Germany, I didn't grow up celebrating Valentine's Day. February 14th was just February 14th. No heart-shaped chocolates, no flowers, no love songs on repeat, no grand expectations. And although there's an emphasis on that one day, I propose we call February the month of love. And I'm not just talking about love for another, but rather love for yourself. Here's the thing, February is also peak hibernation mode. I think it's that time of the year when we're all just trying to make it through the winter without losing our sanity while we're waiting for spring. So while Valentine's Day is marketed as a day for couples, I think it's also the perfect excuse for a little self-care and self-love. Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that we are all worthy of love, especially self-love. You don't have to wait until you hit a goal, change something about yourself, or feel like you've earned love. Your worth isn't something you have to prove or achieve, it's something that's already yours. It's a birthright, so never question that. Sure, we all have things about ourselves that we don't like or feel we need to improve upon, and that's perfectly fine. That is self-love in action. Striving to become better should never come from a place of not being enough, it should come from a place of already being enough, and wanting to nurture yourself even more. Growth, after all, is life. I'm sure worthiness and self-esteem are not new concepts to any of you, and although it seems like a simple concept, it's a very personal issue that runs deep inside all of us. Our sense of worthiness drives our choices, and when we lack worthiness, it limits our choices. So, instead of stressing over grand romantic gestures, or waiting for a special someone to show up and sweep you off your feet, why not be that special someone for yourself, and do something that actually makes you feel good, loved, and worthy. Maybe that's indulging in a cozy night with a favorite herbal tea, journaling about things you love about yourself, or just eating a ridiculous amount of chocolate, because let's be honest, chocolate is the real MVP of Valentine's Day. This is a unique type of hot chocolate, as I'm using the rose hips and hawthorn berries I forged for back in my autumn episode. And if nothing else, let this be a reminder that love isn't just about romance, it's about appreciating yourself, your friends, and the little joys that gets us through the last stretch of winter. So whether you're spending the day with someone special, your best friend, or just you in your comfiest pajamas and a good movie, take a moment to remind yourself, you are enough, you are worthy, you always have been and always will be. Thank you so much for watching and for spending this time with me, and a special thank you to everyone who has already subscribed so far, I appreciate you more than you know. I wanted to share something with you all, I have officially changed my channel's name to Cottage by the Sea. I was kind of wrestling and going back and forth with should I keep it Wellness with Ilka or change it to Cottage by the Sea, and after much deliberation, I decided to just go for it. It felt right, and I believe that it fits well with the kind of content I'm creating and want to create in the future, and I have a vision for it, a space that feels warm, grounding, and connected to nature with slow intentional living, while also continuing to share my urban knowledge and everything that goes with it. Oh, and I also have started an Instagram account, it's Ilka's Cottage by the Sea, so if you'd like to connect with me there, I would love to have you. I will be sharing some little behind-the-scenes moments, some daily inspirations, and some more glimpses into this cozy balanced life, so it's Ilka's Cottage by the Sea. As always, if you enjoyed this video, don't forget to give it a like and a subscribe, it really helps my channel grow and lets me keep creating content like this for you. And if you feel like someone in your life could use a little reminder of their worth, go ahead and share this episode with them, but most importantly, I hope that you walk away from this episode feeling a little bit more loved, a little bit more seen, and a lot more sure that you are worthy exactly as you are. So, keep believing in yourself, keep showing up for yourself, and remember, even if it sounds a little bit cliche, the most important love story in your life is the one you have with yourself. I'm sending you all so much love, and looking forward to seeing you in the next episode. Until then, I wish you happiness, wellness, and joy.