L.O.V.E Nowadays

LOVE. A 4 letter word that can invoke almost every single emotion known/unknown to mankind.

When you hear the word love what runs through your mind? A beloved family member? A close friend? A particular boy/girl that somehow has the ability to make your heart skip a beat?

I believe everyone has their own definition of love, their own personal ways of expressing it. But nowadays, as with most things, society and social media seems to dictate what love is and how it should be shown.

Once upon a time, love was simple. Romance was all about mutual adoration and respect, making the one you care about feel special. And it didn't necessarily have to be grand gestures, it was the little things. Like cosy movie dates, picnics in the park, homemade candlelit dinners, listening intently to each other's problems and attempting to solve them as if they were your own. Couples put actual thoughts into gifts they exchanged and real effort into their relationships and keeping the romance alive.

Well now all of that sounds like a foreign language from a whole other planet.. From an entirely different universe.. Part of a galaxy far, far away.

Because the truth is, love is now way too complicated. It's more about what's "cool" and maintaining certain reputations than it is about expressing real emotions. So many rules about what can and can't be said, or done. Like how long a person has to wait before responding to a simple text..? Is it a day? Three days? A week? A month?? Are you ever supposed to text someone who shows an interest in you back??? WHAT TO DO?!

Here's an idea... JUST TEXT BACK. I find it mind-blowingly crazy that there's a "rule" on how and when to talk to someone you like to let them know the feelings mutual, or that you'd like to get to know them a little more. What's the worst that could happen? So you could get shot down. That's okay, they obviously didn't feel the same way that you did, but at least now you know. You took a risk. You were brave, and now you dust yourself off and get on with your life.

Love shouldn't be a game or a chase. It should be straight to the point. A person should be able to open up about their feelings without being held back by a bunch of "do's or don'ts" that society has created on their own. Love is about taking a leap of faith, taking risks, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable in front of those you truly care about. It's about being able to sit around looking like a homeless person surrounded by junk food and takeaway and embracing it as your happy place.

To me, love is feeling safe. It's knowing that you have someone by your side and you're not alone. Someone that makes you want to be the best you can possibly be. It's feeling comfortable and accepted, and knowing that your emotions and thoughts are reciprocated. There's no need for expensive gifts or dining at fancy restaurants (although the occasional splashing out is much appreciated hehe). Loud declarations of love in front of thousands isn't proof of anything either, especially when the one you're declaring your love for is mortified and has no clue what is going on! Sometimes, it's the small but intimate moments that are shared that mean the most.

Love is beautiful. Yes there are ups and downs, just like everything in life. But it's so unnecessary to complicate it more by playing mind games or texting games or whatever the young kids do these days... (I've lost track and given up on current trends). Because in my opinion, life is way too short to care about what "other people" might think or say. They say your biggest regrets are all the things you didn't do, so why add unproclaimed love to the never ending list?

Be Brave. <3