Valentine’s Day, Reframed
Valentine’s Day can stir up feelings for many of us — partnered-up, solo, or somewhere in between. Its origins are rather bloody, it’s over-the-top commercialized, and in the US, fewer people are choosing to celebrate this day. I won’t begin to speculate as to all of the reasons why, but instead of jumping on the bandwagon to dismiss it altogether, I’d like to reframe it.
What if we reframed Valentine’s Day— from a day for lovers, to a month that invites us into love?
For many this day can feel activating. Valentine’s Day gifts us with an opportunity to look at whatever is coming up within ourselves with curiosity and kindness. We can reflect on and remember what we truly want, what we’re fortunate to have, and what we are.
What we want is what we are
What if what we really want is to see ourselves—to have our beautiful heart qualities mirrored back to us — to know and remember that we are powerful, infinite, love?
Perhaps an unintended consequence of Hallmark’s Valentine’s Day is how on February 14th, we’re given permission to shine our most sparkly heart qualities — we are invited to be appreciative, to get creative, to be present, and express our own versions of playful, sensual, romantic, and sexy all in the name of love.
Whether it’s directed towards another human (who you don’t have to be dating) or yourself, love on! What is it that your heart wants to express? What would an unabashed expression of generosity, gratitude, and attention look like for you on this day? During this month?
What we have
Whether you’re in love or remembering that you are love, you have the power to give — your attention, your kindness, your presence, and your care. Romance the heck out of yourself , your friends, or a stranger! Buy flowers, take a bubble bath, sip a tea slowly without your phone and just be there for all of it. Bundle up and sit in the park and feel the coolness of the air on your skin and your feet on the cold ground. Clean your space, create an altar, write down all of the things that you love about yourself and light a candle beside it, or write a love letter to those in your life you appreciate! Cook yourself a hot meal with your favorite ingredients. Ditch your old underwear and get something you feel fresh and new in even if no one knows about it. Sleep in your silkiest pajamas! Let this day be a living love letter! The love we seek begins in our own hearts.
May we have the courage to love hard and may All That Is invite us into many perfect opportunities to practice offering love, generosity, presence, and kindness.
And if we are in partnership, may that partner stand in as a mirror, to shine back to us the richness and brightness of our own hearts.
May you surround yourself with others (virtually, or safely co-residing in place) who light you up and may you create, play and connect on this Valentines Day, but also always!
Tag us on instagram to show us how you’re expressing love today!
Come join us for an upcoming experience to express self-love.