Love Is...

Happy Valentine’s Day to all you people out there! Yes, you! All of you! Single, taken, partially taken… all of you. For some, this time of the year brings the most loving and intimate moments, while for others, this time of the year sheds a negative and rather dark feeling on people’s minds and hearts. You see, instead of a blog post of must-have Valentine’s Day outfits or potential gifts or what-not, I have decided to write something a little more practical for the heart (and the wallet).

Valentine’s Day used to be about sharing adorable little cards you bought from Walmart and put into everyone’s brown bags in class (the ones with puppy puns and Disney characters were my absolute favorites, obviously) and then years go by and suddenly Valentine’s Day is either exclusively for couples in love or for hating those couples.

So yeah, it’s true-- as we all grew up, Valentine’s Day suddenly became something that brought out the most cringe-worthy romantic pictures and captions, the most ideal passive aggressive comments, the classique re-evaluation of all your past relationships, and the obvious “I’m wine drunk maybe I should text my ex” question. This range of feelings, whether it’s something quietly sitting in the back of your mind or something you always spew about angrily, is completely valid. I was completely guilty of being one of those people who was bitter and full of disgust around this time of the year in the past. It’s a feeling you’re entitled to have, but it’s not a feeling that excuses you to be a negative person towards others, and certainly not excusable to be negative towards yourself.

Here’s the thing-- Valentine’s Day is about love. It’s 2018 and it’s about time that that same elementary school love (no matter how minor it felt at the time) is spread to everyone you love. Just because you’re not in love doesn’t mean you’re not full of love! You should be spending that energy loving yourself and your greatest supporters, appreciating the people who you have in your life. Often times, the greatest and best kind of love is found in platonic relationships. It’s about those intangible moments that is love. It’s when your dad calls you to kill your test. It’s when your bestfriend answers your FaceTime when you have exciting news. It’s when an old friend sends you a link to a song saying “this reminded me of you”. So instead of dissing couples, feeling sorry for yourself, it’s time to shake all that badness off. Realistically, when has acting upon any of that negativity benefited you? How has that helped anyone?

This is your mission (as well as mine):

1. If you’re feeling upset or angry, let yourself be for 15 minutes max.

2. Next step? Get. It. Together. (i.e. Watch a vine compilation. Listen to a happy playlist. FaceTime someone who makes you laugh.)

3. Indulge yourself with love! (Love is food, friends, and family!)

4. Chocolates and a good meal are a must.

5. Send a text to at least five different people who you love.

Love is love, love is for everybody. And that includes you. Whatever your relationship status may be, this is something everyone should try and do-- because more the love the better, right?

Much love,

#lifestyle