We have officially reached the end of the month of love. For some, it was a time of pure joy, happiness, and, of course, love. For others, including me, though, it was very far from the love one should feel during this month.

I was dealing with a huge loss, navigating a new major, and everything that seemingly could go wrong in my life was happening. My mindset going into this month was not the strongest. Nor the most positive, and in a way, I felt almost isolated even though I have such a strong friend group and support system.

Full transparency: I spent most of Feb. 14 alone, crying over not getting Tate McRae meet and greet tickets. I was bitter seeing a lot of my friends and family celebrate the holiday with a significant other, and I gained a “why not me” mentality. 

After literally just spending time in the game room and making friendship bracelets with some friends, my mindset changed. Seeing the joy and laughter on my friends’ faces in the most casual situation made me realize that I’m surrounded by so much love here. 

I realized that love doesn’t always need to come in the form of romantic gestures or someone giving you flowers on a random Friday in February. 

While those things are certainly true tell-tale signs of love, I am in no way discrediting the power of love between two people in a relationship. Sometimes, love can be found in other forms. Love is the time you spend with your friends watching movies, playing board games, and just hanging out. Love is the feeling of relief you feel when you pass that test that was stressing you out. 

As college students, there are so many reasons for us to be bitter. Hard majors, annoying professors, and challenging social lives. It’s so easy to fall into a web of comparisons, believing that everyone else has it better—better relationships, better grades, a better social life. Seeing others succeed or celebrate milestones can make it feel like we’re falling behind. 

Yet the reality is that everyone has their struggles, even if they’re not visible. The more we focus on what we don’t have, the harder it becomes to appreciate the small wins and find love in the little things. 

Once you change your mindset and realize that, even though you might not have everything right now, you are on a huge journey of learning and growth. The key is understanding that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. You learn to value the experiences, the small wins, and the support around you, knowing that those moments are just as important as the end goal.

As the month draws to a close, I reflect on how my perspective has shifted. February wasn’t easy, and I had moments where it felt like the universe was testing me. 

Yet, by allowing myself to feel those emotions fully—anger, sadness, frustration—I was able to release them and make room for something greater: gratitude.

So, here’s to the love we give ourselves, to the friends who make us laugh, to the small victories, and to the growth that’s already taking place. Even when the road seems tough, there’s always love to be found—if we’re willing to see it.

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