Love—February is the season of it. Red and pink hues flood the shelves of stores, reminders of what we mean to each other are exchanged between text messages, calls and warmly-lit dinners. But love is not seasonal, nor does it need a calendar date to be felt, expressed or recognized.

In the present world it seems like every day brings something dark bubbling to the surface and it's easy to retreat into the corners of our mind. The routines we keep, the relationships we foster, and how we treat ourselves—all can feel strained or disconnected.

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My instinct when things feel overwhelming is to withdraw, but that's exactly when connection and love matter most. Connection requires the vulnerability to show up imperfectly, which starts with how we treat ourselves.

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Showing care, showing interest and showing accountability are all acts of love we do every day. 

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So how do we keep showing up?

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I have the bad-habit of being overly self-critical or not wanting to bother people. But, then I often feel lonely and I turn even further inward. 

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Once I started loving that part of myself that yearns for connection, I have been able to reach out more freely to my friends and more recently to my work colleagues. It started with sending a small message over Google chat asking about their hobbies or weekends. Checking in on them and sharing small stories between us has now become a weekly habit. 

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This small but meaningful interaction has led me to feeling more comfortable reaching out with other questions, concerns or a joke. I know them better and they know me. The anxiety I felt around others' perceptions has started to fall away. 

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Now I am the one getting messages and check-ins, and what I was missing has now become a part of my weekly agenda. It's a nice break through the routine of life, work and whatever else is going on in the world. 

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Reminding myself to trust, ask questions and be patient with myself has allowed for me to hold that space for others to step into. 

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This February, I challenge you to dig deeper into the cellophane-wrapped chocolate and explore what you love about yourself, what you feel like you’re missing and the intersection of the two.

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—

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Roses are red,

Violets are blue

At ruckus, we lead with love

And you can too. 

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Written by Emily Zook, Account Coordinator

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