Valentine’s Day always has some sort of feeling about it, and depending on your relationship status or any preconceived notions about the holiday, it’s either one of the best days of the year or the 24 hours of pure dread. 

And some years, despite all of that, it’s still a coin toss whether it’ll be a labor of love, or just labor. But the holiday dedicated to love is so much more than just celebrating the love of lovers. After all, there are so many different kinds, forms, expressions and levels of love that also share the spotlight. 

It’s not just romantic love that can be celebrated today, and every day for that matter. The human heart has enough love stored up for not just romantic relationships but also for friendships, family, strangers, our pets and especially thy self. 

This Valentine’s Day, try to remember to keep that last one at the forefront of your mind. So many of us, to no fault of our own, have suffered this winter from that ever-lurking seasonal depression where the grey clouds and muddy snow pelt the soul with isolation and fatigue. 

Don’t be afraid to buy yourself that chocolate, or give yourself that one nice gift you’ve had your eye on. All kinds of different love exist, but it all originates from inside the self and spills out into the world. You must be the first person in line to offer love to yourself.

With that being said, don’t be afraid of letting it all pour out and enjoy today. Valentine’s Day is often criticized for being too commercialized, but that doesn’t detract from its true purpose. There is no better time to feel it all than Valentine’s Day!