The different types of love

[hocus pocus]

The different types of love
By Cassie (hocus pocus)

When people think of love, they may think of the romantic kind, especially around specific holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day. While romantic love is a very significant reason to celebrate, there are other forms of love that are just as important.

Self-love

Feeling love towards yourself is often easier said than done, but it can be helpful to practice it no matter how large or small your activity is. For instance, you can acknowledge your past successes, write a letter to your past, present, or future self; or you could choose a self-care activity you enjoy doing. When you have difficulty with other relationships in your life, try placing an emphasis on the relationship you have with yourself.

Love for family and friends

Familial love can be strong sometimes and intimidating at others, depending on the relationship with your family. Is there someone you are especially close to? Maybe you have a close bond with a sibling, or perhaps you’ve always been close to an aunt or an uncle. You may have a close friend you met at a young age.

Take some time to acknowledge and celebrate the love you feel for others in your life. Also understand that your biological family does not have to be your family if you do not want them to be. Over time, you can pick and choose your true family members that you have met throughout your journey.

Love for family: Pets

Pets are part of the family, but they deserve their own section. Take a moment to think about the pets you have (if any). Pets may not be able to verbalize in the same way that we can, but they communicate and show their love in their own way. They depend on us to feed and care for them, and in return, many give unconditional love. The company of pets is sometimes preferred to humans when going through a difficult time, or when other humans are not healthy or available.

One thing to remember about pets is that they are limited to a few available places to visit. This means that your living space is a vital part of their lives and as a result, you are too. You are the center of what is most important to them, and that is a very special relationship to have.

General love

General love is a very broad term to apply to things in your life that are not amongst the living. Perhaps you love a specific meal that you are cooking tonight, or you love the feeling of your rug beneath your feet every day. Maybe you love listening to the sound of rain, or feeling the sun warm your skin. These are all things that are especially important to acknowledge when you remember to, as they are a big part of your everyday life. Celebrating the small things – in this case, acknowledging what you love – is what can make your day happier, or just more bearable. Having a more bearable day can be enough for you to keep going.