February is the month of love. With Valentine’s Day occurring this month, our society gets swept up in finding ways to show our love through gifts, date nights, and special treats. While the holiday can be a fun excuse to spoil our loved ones and express our love, it can also be a challenging day for many who aren’t in romantic relationships or who have past painful experiences. Valentine’s Day or the feelings around love in general can be a reminder of those difficult memories.
Blog Recommendations For Relationships
If you or someone you know experiences painful memories this time of year, check out some of our blogs below to read different perspectives on relationships, learn ways to move past those difficult times, and learn how to continue to give and accept love from others.
How can I love after experiencing violence?
It can be difficult to not just love but also learn to trust after experiencing violence in a relationship. Likewise, it can be difficult gaining a partner’s love and trust after they have experienced violence in a former relationship. Read more to learn resources and options for loving after experiencing violence.
How can I support my loved ones who are on the LGBTQ+ spectrum?
The articles below share ways you can express love to your friends and family in the LGBTQ+ community to make sure they feel supported and validated.
- My Daughter Came Out to Me as A Lesbian. What Do I Do?
- How Can I best Support My Teen in Their Gender Expression?
How do I love my partner through our difference of opinions?
Love often comes easy when times are easy, but when there’s differences in opinions and fundamentals, relationships can feel strained. These blogs address different ways to navigate supporting your significant other while not giving up on your own personal beliefs.
- My Significant Other and I Have Different Beliefs
- My Husband Wants Me to Go to Therapy With Him, But I'm Scared. What Should I Do?
How can I better help the healing process of a youth in my care who has been through immense trauma?
Fostering and adopting youth who have been through trauma can be tough. Read more to learn about other caretakers’ journeys as they opened up their heart and homes to youth, and how love, patience, and time can be the greatest healers.
How can I love myself and help build my self-esteem when I’ve experienced self-hatred?
Self-esteem and self-love are so important for mental health and wellness. Often we are our own worst critics, and constantly speaking to and about ourselves negatively. This negative self-talk affects our mental health. Check out these articles on how to help build positive self-esteem and learn to be kind to yourself.
Nexus Family Healing is a national nonprofit mental health organization that restores hope for thousands of children and families who come to us for outpatient/community mental health services, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment. For over 50 years, our network of agencies has used innovative, personalized approaches to heal trauma, break cycles of harm, and reshape futures. We believe every child is worth it — and every family matters. Learn more at nexusfamilyhealing.org.