First, self-love

WE are breaking up with the exclusive and boring concept of love that Valentine’s Day preaches for one where love encompasses its full nature. In a world that places coupledom high on the social hierarchy, celebrating one’s solitude is seen as doing something brave, when it isn’t. What it actually is, is a feeling that stems from truth, respect and acknowledgment. To 27-year-old student Abhishta Lalwani, this love comes naturally. Her plans for February 14 include a night in, watching rom-coms and cooking for herself to, as she tells us, “Give myself the love I want to give someone and hold on to the hope of finding love someday.” Lalwani wasn’t conscious of what struck us as an honest and self-aware response. “I remember watching a Harry Styles concert video recently where he said that you have to fill your own cup first, and let someone fall in love with the overflow. That stayed with me. We’ve overused the term self-love and self-care but to actually be able to find love for yourself requires time,” she shares. Lalwani might be joined by her girlfriends too; another setting to surround yourself with love.

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