Natural Day

Natural Day is February 13th

Natural Day, or The International Day of Self Love, is held every February 13th in the hopes of encouraging and empowering individuals with insecurities and personal uncertainties to let go of their self-doubts and embrace their natural selves. Founded by the Love Your Natural Self Foundation, Natural Day is all about strengthening one’s self-esteem and acknowledging the innate beauty within and around you.

History of Natural Day

Sanah Jivani, founder and CEO of the Love Your Natural Self Foundation, developed the concept of the foundation in 2011 after undergoing a dramatic shift in her life. Around the time of seventh grade, Sanah awoke one morning to find that the hair that was once on her head was now on her pillow. She had Alopecia Universalis, and as her hair fell, her self-esteem went with it. Intense bullying soon followed, not only from those around her but from herself. Realizing that this pattern of self-hatred could not go on, Sanah began to restructure her self-image and redefine her notion of what it means to be beautiful. Natural Day is the next step in Sanah’s journey to help others realize their naturality.

The purpose of celebrating the day before Valentine’s Day is for you to learn to love yourself. You have to start from a place of self-love before you can love another. Fun fact: Natural Day is celebrated in over 50 schools and 28 countries!

Celebrating Natural Day

Here are some things you can do to help get the (self)lovefest started! The idea is to confront your insecurities and free yourself from them.

• Go make-up free: Maybe today you go without trying to conceal your acne. Ease off on the body spray and fragrances. If what’s on the surface is what scares you, let that part of you breathe today.
• Dress to impress…you: Sometimes what we choose to wear is for the benefit of others. Not today! Natural Day is about being you, baby! Dress loud and wear it proud!
• Take a mental health day: It’s okay to admit that you need a second. Take this time to reflect on your self-criticisms. Bring them to the forefront and address them. For each criticism, rebuff it. Instead of leaning into hurtful thoughts, say something positive about yourself! Reinforce rather than weaken.
• Encourage others: reach out to others and create an atmosphere of empathy. Contact the Love Your Natural Self Foundation to see how you can celebrate self-love in your community.

The most important thing to remember about Natural Day is that it’s a celebration of you. No single one of us is made perfect. And that’s okay. What makes you different is what makes you special. Embrace that. Love who you are and what you have to offer. Then spread that love to
others! We can all use a little more natural love in our lives.

“I made an organization to change the lives of others, but every day more and more, it changes my life. I am grateful for the work I do, and hope to create a world with more self love and self-acceptance.” -Sanah Jivani

Share Love and Unite the World

Participate in International Natural Day by hosting an event at school or work. Be natural today and show others that you care about them in their natural state.