Valentine
What a relationship that didn't last still managed to teach me about self-care, solitude, and not losing track of everything else.
Photo by Cody Chan on Unsplash
I had a Valentine's Day date after a long time, and woke up the next day with body aches from how excited I'd been. Not exactly the outcome I expected from dinner and a movie.
That relationship had a lot of good in it: quality time at home with family and friends, vegan food, actually sleeping well, walks, movies, making plans for the future together. It didn't last. But it left me with a few things worth keeping.
I could have been more prepared. A relationship takes real energy, commitment, money, and time. Going in with that understood ahead of time would have helped.
Self-care matters more than I gave it credit for. You can't always be the one providing. Sometimes there's nothing left to give, because you've given all of it away.
Spend some real time alone. Clarity comes from reflection, especially before you step into something new, or while you're trying to make sense of where you actually stand.
Don't forget your friends and family. A relationship shouldn't come at the cost of the people who were there for you long before it started.
Don't lose track of your career. Your own ambitions deserve the same priority as the relationship. That's a big part of what keeps your sense of who you are intact.
Feedback I got: comfortable, engaging delivery, strong gestures, a natural style that held the room's attention — competition-ready, by the group's read. The one suggestion: lean on visual aids a bit more next time.