Love vs Romance
In a world captivated by the narrative of finding "the one" and the pursuit of romantic bliss, I find myself often questioned about my status. The inquiries, filled with a well-intended concern, carry an underlying assumption that being single equates to a lack of love. As I ponder these questions, "Why not try Tinder/Bumble? Love will find you soon, When are you getting married, Oh! You poor baby, don’t you worry, you will find someone; anyways, you are a catch.”
I peer into the eyes of those posing these questions, not to intimidate, but to understand the underlying pity.
People seem to feel sorry for me, assuming that without a romantic partner, I must be lacking in love.
In many cases, people equate romance to love, failing to grasp that a life can be rich in love even if the romance is absent.
Breaking the Association
This mindset isn't just limited to casual conversations; even my clients often kickstart their stories by expressing a perceived absence of love—how they're struggling to find love, focusing on the quest for 'the one'. They're convinced they're suffering and would do anything to hold onto whatever fragments of love they have.
For far too long, mainstream media, relatives, and even parents have ingrained the notion that love is exclusively found in Ms./Mr. Right. This perspective is deeply rooted; the challenge arises when the association between love and romance becomes so intertwined that any form of love outside this framework goes unnoticed.
The Vicious Cycle
People often articulate their struggles, expressing a longing for a romantic connection, unaware that they may already be surrounded by love in various forms. The societal conditioning to seek romantic validation, not to mention the self-limiting beliefs - I’ve heard people say, "Am I not worthy? Am I not enough? Am I not lovable?" - manifests in different ways in their life.
Love isn’t something you have to wait for your whole life, setting yourself up for potential disappointment. Viewing it in such a limited way can lead to more heartache than you realize. These thoughts don’t just mess with your romantic life; they spill over into your professional life, attracting a bunch of unwanted, gloomy incidents. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, reinforcing a cycle of perceived loneliness, unmet expectations, and unsatisfied or depressive situations.
Expanding the Definition
The truth, when one zooms out, is that love is not an entity confined to a specific person or relationship. Love is an energy, an omnipresent force that transcends human connections. It reveals itself in subtle yet profound ways—the compliment from a stranger, the companionship of a stray animal, the guidance of the moon, the unexpected support of friends, and the joy of personal achievements.
The essence of love is not limited to a singular human connection; it encompasses a feeling in the heart. It's the acknowledgment that love isn't a commodity to be sourced externally, but a pervasive force within and around us.
Reclaiming Worthiness
Understanding that love is not confined to a specific form enables individuals to reclaim their worthiness and recognize the abundance of love already present in their lives. By dispelling the limited view of love associated with finding a romantic partner, one can break free from the shackles of societal expectations and open their heart to the multitude of ways love expresses itself.
Romance is a different tale altogether. Seek it if you wish, but know that there are ways to infuse romance into self-love and friendships—this is what I choose to do and perhaps why I feel among the luckiest.
Closing Thoughts
As the new year is around the corner, it's essential to unravel the conventional narrative surrounding love. Acknowledge that being single does not equate to being unloved; rather, it offers an opportunity to embrace the diverse expressions of love that surround us every day.
So, dear reader, if no one has reminded you recently, you are profoundly loved. Open your eyes, embrace love in its purest form, and bask in the light it brings. Your existence on this planet is proof in itself; it makes you worthy and lovable.
Love and light..🍀💜
#LoveAndRomance #SelfLoveJourney #BreakingSocietalNorms #PerspectiveShift #EmbracingLove #NewYearReflections #WorthyAndLoved #MindfulLiving #Relationships #LifeLessons #Empowerment #SingleLife #LoveBeyondRomance #PersonalGrowth #PositiveVibes