A SIMPLE SELF-CARE HABIT WORTH TRYING

Fresh flowers

Gals, do you like flowers? 

I used to think that it's a common thing for girls to like flowers. But I guess it might be a cultural assumption when a few weeks ago I saw something that flipped that idea in my head.

So, I was walking past the new florist in town with a banner that caught my eye. It read: "Some girls don't like flowers, but they'll never say no to receiving them".

I stopped in my tracks. It felt like a mix of a joke and some oddly profound truth. I stood there and wondering: Is it true that there are girls who don't like flowers?

Well, maybe for some, it's the practicality as flowers don't last. Meanwhile, others might see it as personal preferences. 

Whatever it is, here's the catch: whether or not someone loves flowers doesn't seem to matter as much as the gesture behind them. 

I mean... think about it: it's not the bouquet itself that makes us smile. Instead, it's the thoughtfulness of the person handing it to us. It's the unspoken message of I was thinking about you, and this felt like a way to say it. And honestly, that's universal, isn't it?

Let's take one lucky woman, Mel Robbins, as an example. 

Mel’s husband, Chris, understands her so well. He knows how much she loves fresh flowers, so every time she returns from a trip or a speaking event, he cuts a bouquet from their garden and places it on the kitchen island, ready to greet her when she walks through the door. Isn't that just the sweetest?

Also read: Finding God's Voice in Unexpected Places

It's such a simple gesture, but one overflowing with thoughtfulness and care. Honestly, doesn't it make you just a tiny bit of envious? No, not the bad kind of envy. It's the kind that warms your heart and makes you dream of love so attentive and tender. 

I can't help but be genuinely happy for Mel. Every time I hear her story, it's like a gentle reminder of how love can express itself in the smallest yet most meaningful ways.

I believe we all agree that Chris' gesture reminds us that love isn't about grand declarations or extravagant gifts. Sometimes it's as simple as cutting flowers from your own garden and placing them where they'll be seen and felt, where they say: I'm glad you're home.

Mel's story gets me thinking. I remember the times I had fresh flowers in my living room. Their colors brightening the space and their scent filling the air. Back then, each arrangement felt like a piece of joy brought indoors. It was a reminder that beauty thrives even in the fleeting things.

So, there I was, standing outside the florist, wondering whether or not I should get myself a bouquet. It had been far too long since I'd had fresh flowers at home, and I missed that feeling - the quiet joy of walking into a room and seeing something alive and beautiful just sitting there, waiting to brighten my day.

Also read: From Self-Criticism to Self-Love: My Story of Discovering Self-Worth

Feeling a bit hesitate, I led my feet to walk in. And as soon as I stepped inside, my eyes wandered over all the beauty that God has created which we name them: flowers. They were all just extremely beautiful that I couldn't decide which ones I should bring home. So, I requested for assistance from the florist. 

When she handed me the finished arrangement, I couldn't help but smile. It wasn't just a bunch of flowers anymore. It was a small, portable burst of happines, a reminder to create moments of beauty wherever I could.

Carrying that bouquet home, I felt something stir. It was a renewed sense of joy, of appreciation for life's feeling.

Having fresh flowers in my living room really changes the ambience. The whole room feels different, like joy and peace have blended together in the air. The entire space—including my mood—shifts in an instant. 

Starring at the flowers and soaking in their beauty feels like borrowing a masterpiece form an art gallery—an invitation to lose myself in their magic. It's as if, in that moment, I'm silently admiring and praising the ultimate artist: God.

Also read: How God Can Be Playfully Romantic

At least, that’s how I feel.

That's why I used to make it a habit to treat myself to fresh flowers whenever I can. They may not last forever, but their presence transforms my home, making it feel warm and inviting. And perhaps because their time is not that long, I find myself cherishing them even more.

I usually buy just one bouquet, and it follows me wherever I go: gracing the living room one moment, the dining table the next, and even my desk while I work. It's as if those flowers are quietly cheering me on, whispering gentle reminders to pause, breathe, and savor the beauty of the moment.

I, then, realized that the presence of the flowers wasn't just about decorating my space. It was about decorating my soul too.

So, whether you adore flowers or think they're just a fleeting luxury, here's something to ponder. Maybe flowers are less about what they are. Maybe their true magic lies in who they come from and why they were given.

If that's the case, then why wait for someone else to send you flowers? Why not give yourself that joy? It's a gift from you to you, a small celebration of your own worth and happiness. It's a way of saying, I deserve beauty, care, and the simple joy of this moment.

Then, go ahead. Pick out a bunch that makes your heart smile. Let their colors and scents brighten your day and remind you of the beauty you bring to your own life.