For ages, love has been sharing the brunt of societal expectations—how to fall in love, with whom to fall in love, and most importantly how to love someone. The rational wisdom ingrained in our minds is to follow a set timeline: fall in love in your twenties, marry in your thirties, raise a family through your forties and fifties, and retire in your sixties. But life isn’t a formula and love certainly isn’t something you can be prepared for. Love can neither be planned as per your annual calendar nor can be one of the things waiting to be struck off from your bucket list.
In today’s modern era, where love has surpassed the age-old traditions, it’s time to debunk the myth that love has an expiration date. Age should never dictate our right to fall in love, connect, and cultivate companionship.
In matters of the heart, inclusivity, mental well-being, and personal preferences should be the key pointers.
The Societal Myths That Bog Us Down
“You’re Too Young to Fall in Love”
One of the most common myths is that young love is naïve and impractical. Teenagers or people in their early twenties are often looked down upon when they are in love. As per societal norms, this is the time to focus on building a career. Falling in love is considered a hindrance to professional growth. However, love at any age can be meaningful and transformative. The idea that youthful love is inferior and irrational negates the intensity and genuineness of emotions at any stage of life.
“You Should Have Fallen in Love by Now”
Eccentrically, our society is equally cruel to those who have not adhered to the conventional timeline standards. A perfect case of—you are damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t! The constant pressure to find a partner by a certain age can result in anxiety, self-doubt, and heedless compromise. Love happens in life when it is meant to happen. It cannot be forced upon. There is no deadline for uniting and finding happiness with the right partner.
“Dating Apps Make You Look Desperate”
Dating apps have revolutionized the way people connect nowadays. Yet their usage is often considered immoral and raises a big question mark on a person’s character. Digital platforms are a great medium to connect with like-minded people from across the globe. People aren’t foolishly hooked on dating sites; rather, they are seeking compatibility and companionship based on their convenience. The stigma surrounding online dating often plunders the novelty and the online exposure and awareness it has to offer.
“Alone on Valentine’s Day? Oh, Poor You!”
Valentine’s Day has, for years, been marketed as a day for couples in love only. There is this unnecessary pressure of isolation for singles on the 14th of February year after year. On the contrary, love isn’t confined to romantic relationships only. Love exists in friendships, self-care, and parental bonds too. People are cozying up to the realization that celebrating Valentine’s Day through solo travel escapades, outings with friends and family, or even an act of generosity is as valid as a romantic dinner for two! Spreading cheer and love with your favorite person is understood as the secret sauce of a perfect Valentine’s Day recipe!
Importance of Inclusivity in Love Matters
Love doesn’t follow any rules and regulations. There is no set format or standard operating procedure for falling in love. Whether one finds love at 18 or 80, it should not matter, as long as it is fulfilling and rooted in mutual respect and trust. Embracing inclusivity in love entails:
Accepting that love is all-pervasive and that people of all ages, creeds, orientations, and backgrounds deserve meaningful connections.
Realizing that unconventional relationships—long distance, age-gap, inter-cultural, or platonic partnerships are equally valuable and respectful.
Understanding that love isn’t always between a couple. Self-love, family love, and attachment to friends are equally important.
The Mental Health Perspective
A wise person once said, “Falling in love is easy, staying in love is a challenge, letting go is hard, and moving on is the hardest.” The pressure to match relationship expectations can negatively impact one’s mental well-being. When love is based on societal norms, people usually end up struggling with feelings of anxiety, regret, guilt, or loneliness. Love cannot be contained in a box built with standardized dimensions. Focusing on emotional health and genuine connections makes one grow in love.
Embracing Singleness: Staying single is not a mark of failure; it’s an opportunity for self-love, self-awareness, self-growth, and self-happiness.
Dating of your own free will: Whether one wants to fall in love or prefers staying single, it is completely their prerogative, both choices are valid.
Striking out comparisons: Remember that even all five fingers are not alike! Therefore, each love relationship has a different story to tell. One cannot measure the level of intensity of a love story.
Living Love on Your Terms
Love isn’t about fitting into a predefined mould; it's about freely expressing your feelings. Whether through traditional dating, words of affirmation, online connections, exchanging gifts, or unique expressions of companionship—love grows when freed of societal norms.
So why only on Valentine’s Day? Let's celebrate love each day and in all forms—dynamic, diverse, inclusive, unpredictable, and beautiful. Because when it comes to love, what’s meant to be, will be.
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