Love, without the candy hearts

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, I’ve been thinking about the kind of love that’s quieter. Less about grand gestures and perfect words, and more about small, consistent choices.

Historically, Valentine’s Day traces back to ancient Roman festivals honoring fertility, renewal, and the return of spring. Over time, it became associated with romantic love, devotion, and, somewhere along the way... stuffed animals, giant boxes of chocolate, and those mysteriously chalky candy hearts with tiny declarations stamped on them. But I prefer a broader interpretation: one that includes the relationship we have with ourselves.

Maybe self-love isn’t about constantly feeling amazing or speaking to ourselves only in affirmations. Maybe it looks more like self-compassion. Meeting ourselves where we are. Making space for what matters. Choosing, again and again, to relate to ourselves with a little more kindness than we did yesterday.

In that sense, self-love becomes less of a performance and more of a practice.

Handcrafted homework

As I was thinking about all of this, I was reminded that this isn’t exactly new territory for me. About six years ago, I filmed a simple craft-along video where we make a Valentine’s card… for ourselves.

It’s less about perfection and more about the process. Slowing down, working with your hands, and creating something meaningful from simple materials. If taking this self-love theme into a creative, tactile space sounds fun, I’ll share the link below, and you’re welcome to follow along.

(No crafting experience required. Just curiosity.)

Lighten Up Your Life

If the idea of slowing down, working with your hands, and making space for what matters resonates, this feels like a perfect moment to reintroduce Lighten Up Your Life.

At its heart, this offering is about creating a life that feels lighter… not by "fixing" yourself, but by releasing what no longer fits. It blends simple rituals, reflective prompts, gentle coaching, and practical tools to help you:

• Make space in your body, home, and schedule
• Clarify what actually matters to you
• Build supportive routines that feel sustainable

It’s slow, spacious, and designed to meet you exactly where you are. No “new you” energy. Just support in becoming more yourself. Click the flyer below to learn more.

Singing Club update

A quick update on Project Singing Club… I’m still waiting to hear back from a location I have in mind, and I’m feeling hopeful.

If you’d like to stay in the loop and be notified once details are confirmed, I’ve created a short form where you can share your name and email.

Think campfire vibes. Joyful, casual, and absolutely no auditions necessary.

However you choose to relate to Valentine’s Day this year… I hope you give yourself permission to define it on your own terms. And if candy hearts are part of that equation, I fully support it.

With love,

Monica

​(reply to me HERE)​