Other kinds of love

We know romantic love is king on Valentine's Day, but we also know that the science shows that it’s really other kinds of love that make us the happiest throughout our lifetime.

Fact: You don't need to be in a romantic relationship to live a life filled with love.

11 alternatives to romantic love

1. Bestie Love: a favorite person, someone who makes good times better and hard times easier, a ride or die, a person or protects your heart and that you trust with anything.
2. Hobby Love: This is the wonderful way we use our free time. Note: Research shows we need three hobbies for optimal well-being: one for staying in shape, one for your brain, and one for creativity. ♥
3. Nature Love: Spending time in nature promotes calmness, joy & creativity and can facilitate concentration. Hike, walk, sit under a canopy of trees, or appreciate the landscape around you. You can also appreciate nature by building and tending a garden. Plant flowers and grow vegetables.
4. Team Love: This looks like achieving a common goal with others, collaborating for the greater good, and sharing knowledge and talents to help others. A crucial component of team love is reciprocal interest in each other’s success and growth.
5. Pet Love: Pets give unconditional love and joy, ease isolation and provide companionship. They make us laugh and smile, which can lift our mood & manage stress. They comfort us during hard times and celebrate with us during good times. Hug your furry (or scaly) friends today.
6. Family Love: Family love is a unit of blood relatives or people of your own choosing. It is a bond characterized by deep affection, respect, loyalty, and healthy attachment. Kindness is the hallmark of healthy family love. ♥
7. Online Friend Love: This results from a shared experience connecting people virtually and in meaningful ways. This type of love helps combat isolation and loneliness, and provides opportunities to learn and grow with people you may have never met in the wild.
8. Gone but not Forgotten Love: Grief is a reminder of a love that is still treasured and always missed. ♥ The memories we have ensure that this love lives on. See your tears as a way of hugging the people you miss.
9. Book Love: Bibliophiles love books especially for aesthetic qualities. Bookworms love books for content and stories. These lovers often believe that the book is always better than the movie. They may also know their local librarians by name.
10. Fandom Love: This is a community consisting of dedicated followers of a person, team, or cultural phenomenon. It provides a sense of belonging and self-expression. It can also boost self-esteem, well-being & happiness. This is your sign to show your appreciation for your fellow D&D players.
11. Self-Love: This can be defined and expressed in many different ways, but the simplest definition of self-love is appreciation and respect for yourself. Self-love means you value your well-being and happiness. You can show love to yourself by embracing practices like positive self-talk, setting boundaries, mindfulness, gratitude, and self-pleasure (e.g., adult toys and content)

Did we miss any? What would you add to the list? We'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below. ♥