Love That Includes You

There is a big relationship holiday coming up.

Some people go all in.
Some people roll their eyes and treat it like any other Tuesday.
Some people change their approach every single year depending on life, love, kids, energy, or bandwidth.

So whether you are celebrating romance, friendship, partnership, or making sure your third grader has one card for every single classmate so no one gets left out, I want to ask you something a little different.

How are your boundaries holding up this time of year?

Do you feel pressure to buy heart shaped things for everyone you love?
Spend a slightly unhinged amount of money on chocolates the size of a Vespa?
Smile politely while coworkers inhale tiny candy hearts by the handful?

Or maybe you do what is expected.
Bake the cupcakes.
Commit to a girls night out when what you really want is pajamas and quiet.
Or book the trip you do not have the time or money for.

Because apparently love must be proven on a specific date or something is wrong.

Good grief. Mid February brings a lot of opinions.

Here is a question we do not ask nearly enough.

What are you doing for you this month?

Not what you are doing out of obligation.
Not what Hallmark suggests.
Not what keeps the peace.

What actually feels good in your body, schedule, and bank account?

Maybe it looks like opting out.
Maybe it looks like planning something you are genuinely excited about.
Maybe it looks like truffles you do not plan to share.

And then there is this part.

Do you offer yourself even half the care you give to everyone else?
Is there an area of your life where you feel a little left out?

If so, consider this your invitation.

You can skip the holiday.
You can go all in.
You can find a sweet spot somewhere in the middle.

Just make sure you are included.

Not because culture says so.
But because you are doing a really good job.
And you deserve kindness too.

It is always easier to give from a full cup.

So go fill yours.