Valentine's Day 2012-
Since 2012 I have taken it upon myself to embark upon the some might say foolhardy endeavour to wrestle Valentine’s Day away from its saccharine, cellophane wrapped cliches into a festival of love which is about all kinds of love, just like those wise old ancient Greeks told us
I decided to do that the first year by dashing around London with my mates Asif and Chris dispensing home-made Valentine Day cards, cakes and other love themed items to unsuspecting strangers. It was amazing. You can see a little film of that day here: vimeo.com/58022085
Since then, every year, I put a shout out on social media to anyone who knows anyone who would appreciate a card to remind them that they are loved. So far, I have made and posted 600 Valentine’s cards. I have also covered railings, phone boxes, windows and park benches with paper hearts, chalked love poems onto roads and written love poems with seniors in sheltered housing.
if you see this, and you fancy it, join in!
Write to someone you love who you might not tell enough, someone who needs to be reminded that they are loved, especially if they are lonely or having a difficult time at the moment. Could be your partner, your sibling, your best friend, your nan, your newsagent, your teacher . Think about who might need this the most right now. You can write a letter, postcard, hand make a card, send a postcard, the “rules” are:
The “Rules”
Post it with an actual stamp if this is possible for you- why? Just because it is so much nicer getting stuff that isn’t bills through the post.
Take your time with what you want to say and make it personal, think about how they will feel when they receive it (obvious I know but we all do things too quickly sometimes)
Ask them to pass the love on by writing in turn to someone they love and telling them so, and so beginning a love chain, which may, if we are lucky, never end, reminding us all of who we love and how much we are loved
(if you need it, here are some suggested words: “hope you like your message- I am trying to do my bit to pass love around the world- if you can please write to someone you love too, and we can keep this love chain travelling round the world and make sure everyone knows how much they are loved”
Summing up (because I know I go on a bit!)
1.Write to someone and tell them you love them. Post or hand deliver your message.
2.Ask them to do the same
3.Remind yourself of the things you love about yourself too*
* Let’s not forget this one : philautia (self love): as well as writing to someone to tell them you love them, take a moment this V Day to think about what you love about yourself. This can feel squirmy sometimes, try just thinking of 3 things to start with (3 is a magic number) that you love about yourself. If you find it hard to think of things, that’s ok, ask a good friend to help you think of things. Loving ourselves is important too.
“The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.” Ben Okri
“And may your first love last forever.
P.S. You are your first love. Take care of yourself.”
Cleo Wade
Valentine's Day 2012-
Since 2012 I have taken it upon myself to embark upon the some might say foolhardy endeavour to wrestle Valentine’s Day away from its saccharine, cellophane wrapped cliches into a festival of love which is about all kinds of love, just like those wise old ancient Greeks told us
I decided to do that the first year by dashing around London with my mates Asif and Chris dispensing home-made Valentine Day cards, cakes and other love themed items to unsuspecting strangers. It was amazing. You can see a little film of that day here: vimeo.com/58022085
Since then, every year, I put a shout out on social media to anyone who knows anyone who would appreciate a card to remind them that they are loved. So far, I have made and posted 600 Valentine’s cards. I have also covered railings, phone boxes, windows and park benches with paper hearts, chalked love poems onto roads and written love poems with seniors in sheltered housing.
if you see this, and you fancy it, join in!
Write to someone you love who you might not tell enough, someone who needs to be reminded that they are loved, especially if they are lonely or having a difficult time at the moment. Could be your partner, your sibling, your best friend, your nan, your newsagent, your teacher . Think about who might need this the most right now. You can write a letter, postcard, hand make a card, send a postcard, the “rules” are:
The “Rules”
Post it with an actual stamp if this is possible for you- why? Just because it is so much nicer getting stuff that isn’t bills through the post.
Take your time with what you want to say and make it personal, think about how they will feel when they receive it (obvious I know but we all do things too quickly sometimes)
Ask them to pass the love on by writing in turn to someone they love and telling them so, and so beginning a love chain, which may, if we are lucky, never end, reminding us all of who we love and how much we are loved
(if you need it, here are some suggested words: “hope you like your message- I am trying to do my bit to pass love around the world- if you can please write to someone you love too, and we can keep this love chain travelling round the world and make sure everyone knows how much they are loved”
Summing up (because I know I go on a bit!)
1.Write to someone and tell them you love them. Post or hand deliver your message.
2.Ask them to do the same
3.Remind yourself of the things you love about yourself too*
* Let’s not forget this one : philautia (self love): as well as writing to someone to tell them you love them, take a moment this V Day to think about what you love about yourself. This can feel squirmy sometimes, try just thinking of 3 things to start with (3 is a magic number) that you love about yourself. If you find it hard to think of things, that’s ok, ask a good friend to help you think of things. Loving ourselves is important too.
“The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.” Ben Okri
“And may your first love last forever.
P.S. You are your first love. Take care of yourself.”
Cleo Wade