Live every day like it's Valentine's Day

There’s a reason people look forward to Valentine’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate your relationship. A day to focus on the person you love. You put everything else aside and, for one day of the year, it’s about you two and the world gets it.

But, you may ask, does it have to only be on one day of the year that I express my feelings for my partner? Of course not! You may have realised that you could be expressing your love every day, not just on Valentines Day. There are lots of ways that you can bring elements of February 14 into your everyday life. Here’s just a few.

Flowers aren’t just for special occasions

Do you want to know what the most effective bunch of flowers is? The surprise bunch. It’s not a special occasion, it’s not Valentines Day, it’s not because you’ve done something wrong (that’s a bit of a cop-out anyway…) – it’s just because you thought your partner deserved some floral goodness that day. Both women and men enjoy receiving flowers (even though some won’t admit it) and they really do just smack a smile on the recipient’s face. Simple, yet effective for showing your love. One-up the flowers by taking them to a floristry workshop!

Do something unexpected

Is Date Night normally on a Thursday? Not this week! They’re not going to know what hit them when on Wednesday you surprise them with a romantic, candlelit dinner (or a scavenger hunt, depending on your partner’s personality). Are you afraid of heights? Organise a bridge climb and let your partner help you tackle your fears. Book your partner and yourself into dance lessons, an art class, or find the best view in your city and take them there. Little surprises (just because!) make a big difference.

Express yourself

Be it through song, dance, culinary talent, a drawing, or a simple ‘I love you’, let your partner know how you feel about them. This is something you can do every day! Do you make your partner’s lunch? Pack them a sweet note for them to find. Is your partner learning a new language? Learn how to say ‘I love you’ in that language. Write a poem for your partner. Choreograph a short dance to their favourite song (or sing it!) and surprise them by breaking into song/dance at the local supermarket when it plays over the speakers. Valentines Day is all about the expression of love, and that is something you can easily do every day.

Give your partner your whole attention

For a night a week – if you can – turn off all the devices. Don’t let distractions get in the way of talking to each other, or simply spending time together. Making a meal together, doing a jigsaw, going for a walk – it’s all so much more fulfilling when you’re not side tracked by your iPod, your smartphone, your tablet, or your TV. Facebook? It will still be there in the morning. That daily challenge on your video game of choice? You don’t actually need complete it. Your partner? They’re actually a decent person to hang out with – good choice on picking them!

Sure, it may be hard to bring out the whole Valentines Day shebang every single day, but it’s worth finding something in the message that Valentines Day is promoting. Your partner is worth doting over and being appreciated and you’re worth being appreciated yourself. We all deserve someone who loves us just as much as we love them, so don’t wait for one day of the year to express yourself. Make the most of this short life.