Even though January felt like it lasted forever, and only 14 days into February, Hallmark is ready to get the party started. Yes, Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. And along with the holiday comes mountains of unnecessary stress, pressure, and expectations for the day to be all hearts and flowers. But, after all, isn’t this the right way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
You know the rom-com stereotypes–a romantic dinner for two, picking up flowers for her, and buying jewelry for him. But really, all you want to do is spend quality time with them. And you wonder, could it actually be that simple? If these Valentine’s Day traditions are what you feel comfortable with, then by all means. But if you’re wondering, are we celebrating Valentine’s Day in the best way?
The answer is that the right way to celebrate Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to include the hustle and bustle that capitalism has conditioned us to believe is the only way. Today, we’re going to talk about different ways to celebrate those you love most by using their love language and alternatives to the day for less stress, more fun, and of course, lots of love.
Share The Love: Learning Your Partners Love Language
When you’re making Valentine’s Day plans with your partner, how do you decide what to do? Consider skipping the overhyped, super expensive go-to’s and instead opt for showering each other with love in ways that speak to you.
Do you know what your partner’s love language is? If you aren’t sure, take a look at different examples, and feel free to borrow some of these ideas to incorporate into your Valentine’s Day plans.
Words of Affirmation
Some people like to receive love via words of praise, encouragement, and admiration. Try writing your partner a poem or even just a note, not just about how much you love them, but all the things you love about them.
Acts of Service
This type of love language is for the person who appreciates when someone else does something for them. Plan a surprise for them or make them a romantic dinner at home. Yes, even if you aren’t doing the actual cooking, taking the time to set the scene and enjoy a less chaotic evening is a great way to show your Valentine your love for them.
Gifts
Receiving something special from someone special is what drives this love language. Keep in mind it doesn’t have to be something expensive to get the message across. For example, something small like the gift of a candle is a gift that keeps on giving. Not only do you know they love candles, but it also promotes relaxation, tranquility, and stress relief.
Physical Touch
Who doesn’t like a loving embrace or the small gesture of holding hands? For some people, that physical interaction is the best way to love your partner. Maybe, for Valentine’s Day, consider spending the night in and enjoying a movie together. You can have your popcorn, entertainment, and snuggles on the couch too!
Quality Time
Spending quality time with your partner isn’t just something you should do on Valentine’s Day. Honestly, giving them your undivided attention will speak volumes. That can look like turning off the screen time and putting your phone down to focus on the person sitting in front of you.
Self-Care: Shower Yourself with Love and Care
Now that we’ve talked about the right ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your partner, we’d be remiss to not talk about how practicing self-care on Valentine’s Day (and every day) is a non-negotiable.
Practicing self-care is a great way to love yourself. When you prioritize your emotional, mental, and physical health, you flourish in all areas of your life. The best part is that you don’t have to spend the day at a spa or spend tons of money to do this. Take time for yourself to read, journal, practice gratitude, or maybe even book a therapy session.
Our therapists here at Let’s Talk Psychological Wellness are committed to helping you build strong relationships. Strengthen your communication skills and set boundaries to help you thrive in any relationship. Call, text, or email us.
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