Celebrating Non-Romantic Love
Join me (+ Leslie Knope) in prioritising other forms of love this Valentine's Day
I haven’t really been into Valentine’s Day since I was at secondary school and two boys a few years below presented me with a huge bouquet of flowers and chocolates for 3 years running. (My life peak.)
So, while I have complete respect for people who like to ring fence the day for celebrating love with their partner, February 14th tends to just pass me by. (Today, Pancake Day, on the other hand, is possibly my favourite holiday of the year.)
This Valentine’s Day, however, I have decided to go ALL IN and dedicate the day to love… I’m just not doing it for my husband, but for my daughter instead.
We’ve gone down to Cornwall for a few days just us two, and I’m going to make a card, buy flowers and chocolate, take her for dinner (read: pizza) and all the rest. I tell her I love her everyday, but I’ll say it extra often tomorrow (which may just annoy her by the end of the day!)
I’m clearly not the first person to think of this. Parents have been writing Valentine’s Day cards for their children with ‘Guess Who!?’ scribbled at the bottom for as long as Hallmark have been relying on their mid-Feb profit spike. And away from the family unit, Leslie Knope/Amy Poehler famously created a day for celebrating female friendship – Galentine’s Day – that swiftly made the jump from TV plot-line to real-life beloved-event, with women celebrating it across the world.
So if, for whatever reason, romantic love is not on the schedule for you this Valentine’s, perhaps you’ll fancy joining me and Leslie Knope in celebrating all the other forms of (very important) love instead.
Here are a few ideas to get you started…
Treat yourself – buy some flowers or a little gift, have a proper bath, go for a long walk, cook a special meal, watch your favourite movie, complete your journal (plug!) Simply take a few hours to celebrate YOU and all that you do for yourself to keep going everyday.
Do something kind for a random stranger – compliment an outfit or smile (in a non-creepy way!) buy someone in need a cup of coffee or give them a book you’ve enjoyed, take a few minutes to talk to an elderly neighbour.
Write a letter to a close friend – our platonic relationships are often just as important (if not more so) as our romantic ones. Take some time to write to a friend and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.
Thank a significant person in your life – could be a parent, grandparent, teacher, carer, friend… anyone that’s supported you and helped shape you positively as a person. Give them a call or drop them a note to share what an impact they made.
Any other ideas? I’d love to hear them, let me know below.
P.S. As an act of true love, why not give yourself or a loved one the gift of clarity, vision and an inspiring (+ easy to action) blueprint for the year ahead?
P.P.S A very British Pancake Day