Angela Williams organized the first-ever “Love Yourself First Event” on Feb. 11,
Originally, the event was supposed to take place outside of the student center to attract more students to the event, but due to the weather conditions of rain, they had to move the event inside.
The event was inspired for others to focus on themselves first before sharing that love with others.
“I think it matters all year round”, encourages Bernadette Ferrel, Assistant Manager of Mental Health Services, “it matters because it’s important for us to feel confident and learn how to take care of ourselves, and it all ties into self-love”.
The event included a safe space for students to create affirmation cards on paper cut-out hearts, created by interns working at the event.
Ferrel was openly available to assist students if they wanted to chat and encourage them to attend future events as needed.
“We try to give students their own space degree,” empathized Ferrel, “Some students want to chat. Some students don’t”.
Affirmation cards were provided at the affirmation station, each card provided encouraging quotes for students to read, such as “Peace can find you even on busy days” to “You’re doing the best you can today. That alone is enough”.
Markers to encouraging stickers were placed on tables, a set of boundary cards stating why setting boundaries are important to yourself and for others.
Love Letters to Myself Station includes colorful letters with colorful markers to draw and to write self-love onto the letters.
Some students came from after class, and others were drawn to the event sign outside of the student center.
“I always like to do hobbies and stuff”, said Daisy Unzueta, who is majoring in teaching for elementary students, “to just look out to explore and maybe to meet other people”.
Other students came out of curiosity and to grab a snack offered at the event, such as Kool-Aid and Cheez-Its at the back.
Journals with “Kindness Counts” were imprinted on the cover, along with a separate paper, “Journal Prompt Ideas,” up to 10 ideas to start, along with positive journaling.
“I think by giving them an intentional experience to sit and think about, what are some ways that I love myself, or what are some ways I can work towards loving myself more?” said Ferrel.
Unfortunately, there were no pre-made self-care kits, but it did not stop students from creating their very own self-care kit with all the essentials.
Students were able to bond while they colored, wrote in their journals and talked with one another. Even as it was brief, it connected with students out of their day to focus on self-love.
“Loving yourself is first because it allows you to love others,” said Summer Wilson, organizer of student health services.
