Seems simple, doesn’t it? How you let the ones around you know you love them so….
It feels really good to light someone up with a gesture, a genuine compliment, a gift that really shows you get them.
February can be a dark and dreary time in most places here in the Northern Hemisphere, and Valentine’s Day falls right in the middle of the month.
For many (myself included), it’s a vulnerable holiday; it can even be downright confusing.
The emergence of Galentine’s dinners with lady friends, a movement away from the chocolate-and-card kind of display of love, and the movement toward being loving ALL the days of the year feels really good to me.
One resource I have found to be really helpful with my kids, my partner and people in my life that are near and dear to me (when I want them to know it) is this simple Love Languages quiz.
I hope you will check it out. Take it for yourself to see how you are wired to receive love. It can also be really fun to ask someone close to you to see how they are wired.
For me, I scored very high on “Acts of Service” and “Words of Affirmation.” This helps me understand why someone helping me to do something can bring a reallyemotional response and light me up.
Last year when I moved somewhat suddenly, in the middle of a really large work project (remember the summit??!!), a group of my friends from Pure Barre (and Lisa) helped me for 2 hours to unpack about 97 boxes. These amazing women showed up with love, candles, wine, plants, their laughter and stories and unpacked my kitchen, family room and helped me make my bed.
This for me was an act of love that moved me in ways I still have a hard time putting words to- in fact, it still brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart.
Understanding what makes you feel loved can help dispel anxieties (for you and your partner if you are partnered), and also help you create relationships that help you feel loved and appreciated.
Knowing what makes the ones around you tick can also help you let them know that you love them in the many ways that speak to their hearts. If you have “gift anxiety” at all, this can really free you! Maybe some of the people you love don’t even really want gifts anyways and would be much more happy with an outing together or a project completed with your help.
I’d love to know if this was useful for you?
Drop a comment below and let me know.
With my love,
Cecily