Dear Jules,

This is my first Valentines day without a significant other in a long time. How can I make the day less of a reminder of what I don’t have? It’s so hard to see all the love all over social media…

Thank you

Hi Sweet reader!

First, I’m sending you lots of love and grace on this day.

Take your power back and take a phone break!

Cutting back on/staying off of socials on V day could be really helpful. Why subject yourself to content that isn’t going to lift you up?

Maybe we can also try to shift our focus a bit.

+ What DO you have?

+ What’s going well?

+ What are you grateful for?

TRY:

+Reaching out to friends or family to let them know you love and appreciate them.

+Gratitude Journal list anything / everything that comes to mind. Start small with daily conveniences and work your way up to the big stuff.

If you’re feeling stuck or it’s hard to focus on all the goodness in your life, try focusing on what you want to call in! Vision boards or even simple lists can be really helpful for this. What are you hoping the coming months bring you?

Full permission NOT to focus on romantic love or new relationships if it doesn’t feel good to you right now. Think- personally, professionally, health and wellness goals, etc.

Lastly- treat yourself! Book a spa treatment, go for a beach walk with a great playlist, order your favorite take out.

Do what feels right and true to YOU without having to take anyone else into consideration.

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Julianne Furniss-Green, LCSW holds a Bachelors in Social Work from Western New England University and a Masters in Social Work from Georgia State University. She previously worked in the non-profit sector supporting veterans, men, women, and children who were unhoused before shifting to support Fairfield County communities and families after the death of a loved one.

Julianne specializes in grief and bereavement support. While this is typically defined by the physical death of a loved one, she believes we are all grieving something. Whether it’s an impactful change, a time of transition, an ending, or a new beginning, Julianne shares the tools, resources and skills you’ll need to give yourself permission to grieve, to move through challenges with grace, and to utilize your innate strengths to move forward.

Originally from the South Shore of Long Island, Julianne has since settled in Fairfield, CT. She loves reading, riding her beach cruiser around town, and being at the beach- no matter the season!