Valentine's Day is one of the holidays that can start as a mole hill and quickly turn into a mountain. A lot of pressure gets put on February 14. It's easy to expect chocolate and roses at the very least, or maybe a fancy dinner out (reservations a must).
But when you get down to it, V-day shouldn't be about all the commercialized stuff. It should be about l-o-v-e. Or at least shine a spotlight on it, since every day is a perfect day to give your sweetie some love.
In today's post, we'll show you how you can express your love in meaningful ways on Valentine's Day.
Keep it Casual
This doesn't mean you have to Netflix and chill, unless you want to, of course. It means taking the pressure off yourself and your significant other to create a perfect Valentine's Day. It means not equating actions/non-actions with the state of your relationship.
He would have done ___ if he really loved me.
She must not really care about me or she would have planned ____.
What thoughts like these do is put an incredible amount of weight on how your partner expresses love. Ultimately, the way in which he/she does is not a reflection of how he/she feels about you. It's how your partner treats you every day of the year that matters.
Take pressure off of yourself and your partner to be perfect on Valentine's Day. It's just another day, after all. Take time to remember all of the ways your partner has shown his or her love on the other 364 days of the year.
Focus on Giving Over Receiving
Valentine's Day has a way of bringing our focus inside instead of outside. What I mean by this is that often times a person will get bogged down on what she wants to receive instead of concentrating on what she wants to give.
Did you know that people get more enjoyment out of giving than receiving? It's a win-win, really.
To have a truly meaningful Valentine's Day, don't get lost in your own expectations. Take the opportunity to shower your Love with love. It will lead to more happiness for both your partner and you.
Bust the Rut
Daily life is typically routine and boring and it's easy to get stuck in a bit of a love rut. Valentine's Day is the perfect day to break out of that rut and have an adventure, big or small.
Try a new restaurant or cook dinner together if you don't usually do so. Get dressed up and watch a theatrical performance. Plan a secret outing or create a scavenger hunt for your sweetie.
The point is to do something you don't normally do on a daily basis, to excite your partner, and to bring back the spark you had when you were first dating.
Indulge Their Love Language
Different people experience love in different ways. Five ways, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, renowned marriage counselor and author of The Five Love Languages.
What these languages teach us that each person expresses and experiences love differently, and when our partner "speaks" our language, we feel the most loved.
Use Valentine's Day to speak your Love's language and present him or her with something that will satisfy his/her deepest needs. The five languages are:
Words of Affirmation: People who speak this language enjoy hearing how much you care about and appreciate them. Write a poem or letter that expresses your gratitude or write your words on sticky notes and post them throughout the house for your loved one to find.
Quality Time: This person appreciates one-on-one time and undivided attention. Use Valentine's Day to set aside some quality time to really focus on your partner. Put the cell phone on silent and enjoy dinner together or go for a walk or mini road trip. You could even plan a night at a local hotel and drink champagne while reminiscing over your years together.
Acts of Service: Actions speak louder than words for this person. Focus on making life a little easier for your S.O. by running an important errand for him or taking out the trash before she gets home from work. Basically, lend a helping hand and your sweetie will feel more loved than if you gave him or her a box of chocolates.
Receiving Gifts: The person who speaks this language loves receiving gifts with intention. Intention is the keyword here. A last-minute gift with little thought behind it won't do. Instead, think about presenting your partner with something you know is meaningful to him or her. Surprise him with a small gift and heartfelt note inside his lunch or coat pocket or pick up the book you know he wants to read and give it to him along with breakfast in bed.
Physical Touch: Touch is something we can all appreciate, but those who speak this love language are especially down for it. Give a massage, snuggle on the couch, hug and kiss, share a shower or aromatherapy soak, slow dance, or hold hands while wandering through the city.
You can discover your partner's and your own love language here.
Whatever you choose to do this Valentine's Day, do it with meaning. Gifts don't have to be over the top and activities don't have to be something out of a movie. When you take the pressure off, focus on fun, and give joyfully, you and your significant other will have a Valentine's Day filled with love and happiness.
