Friday

"I am allowed to define love on my own terms."

Welcome to Friday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Tips for a perfect Galentine’s charcuterie board

• The health benefits of love

• Our favorite Valentine’s Day finds

• How to find love everywhere

An Easy Galentine’s Night Hosting Idea

Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating friendship without overcomplicating things, and a snack board checks every box. It feels festive, thoughtful, and fun, but requires no cooking and very little prep. Everything can come straight from the store.

The key is balance. Mixing sweet and salty snacks with crunchy and fresh options keeps the board interesting and satisfying. Chocolates and candies add a playful touch, while cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and popcorn ground things with something savory.

Fresh elements make the whole spread feel intentional. Berries, grapes, baby carrots, sliced baguette, or a premade veggie tray instantly brighten the board and break up richer snacks. Even a few sprigs of herbs can make everything feel more styled.

Assembly is simple. Start with bigger items like cheese and dip bowls, then fill in gaps with smaller snacks until the board looks full. Group foods that pair well together, and let the rest fall into place naturally. The result looks impressive, feels generous, and leaves more time to actually enjoy the night.

How Love Helps You Live Longer

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about flowers and chocolates; it’s also a reminder of how important love is for your health. Strong relationships, whether romantic, familial, or friendships, have been shown to lower stress and boost well-being. People in supportive relationships are more likely to live longer and have better health outcomes, from lower blood pressure to fewer mental health challenges.

Studies show that when your partner is happy, it can positively affect your health too. A happy, optimistic partner can reduce stress, boost your mood, and even help you live longer. And it's not just about romantic partners, relationships with close friends and family members can have the same effect.

However, love can also have challenges. Conflict and stress in relationships can take a toll on health, leading to increased inflammation and other health issues. This Valentine’s Day, focus on nurturing your connections, whether by showing appreciation or simply spending time together. It’s an easy way to improve both your emotional and physical well-being.

Our Favorite Valentine’s Day Finds

Valentine’s Day can feel like it comes with a lot of expectations. This guide is here to make it simpler, with thoughtful gifts that support the people you love in everyday ways.

• 💚 Paleovalley – A nourishing gift for anyone focused on wellness. Their 100% Grass Fed Bone Broth Protein is slow-simmered, collagen-rich, and easy to add to coffee, smoothies, or a cozy mug. Get 15% off.

• 🍳 HexClad – Cookware made for people who love to cook at home. These hybrid pans are dishwasher safe, PFAS-free, and built to last—no scratching, no constant replacing. Get up to 50% off HexClad’s cooking sets only until 2/17.

• 🥤 Beast Blender – The newly released stainless steel mini blender that makes mornings easier. The Mini 600 Stainless Steel blends frozen fruit and ice fast, keeps smoothies colder longer, and features a blend-and-go design made without plastic. Use code NOTETOSELF15 for a limited time to get 15% off the Beast Blended in Steel™ Collection.

• 📸 Chatbooks – A meaningful gift made from real moments. Turn photos from a phone into beautiful Classic Photo Books in just a few steps. Get 20% off with code LOVE20 only through Valentine’s Day.

• 💝 MetaGlow™ by Zend Wellness – This collagen supplement supports skin appearance, appetite balance, metabolism, and mental well-being, all in one daily scoop.* Odorless and tasteless, it blends easily into coffee, tea, smoothies, or oatmeal. Save up to 33% on MetaGlow™ Collagen here.

Shop the full Revel Valentine’s Gift Guide here.

Thank you to our Valentine’s Gift Guide for sponsoring Note To Self.

Embracing Love Without the Need for Romance

For many, Valentine's Day is a time of longing for an idealized romance, influenced by the movies and music of youth. The idea that love from a partner is the key to happiness can be alluring, but this yearning often distracts from the love that already exists in life. Yearning becomes a way to avoid discomfort, projecting the belief that happiness lies just beyond reach, in an imagined future or ideal relationship.

Over time, this habit can hinder real connection, leaving one emotionally distant from the present. The pandemic amplified this sense of yearning, with many people turning to it as a coping mechanism during isolation. However, it becomes problematic when it keeps individuals from fully engaging with life and relationships that are already available to them.

This Valentine’s Day, the focus is shifting away from fantasy and toward appreciating the love that is already present, whether from friends, family, or within. The goal is not to fantasize about romance, but to deepen real connections and appreciate the love that doesn’t need to be idealized or fixed. It’s about embracing the reality of love and connection, without the need for escape.

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: People feel most connected on Valentine’s Day through small gestures rather than gifts. Presence often matters more than objects.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Love doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Your version of Valentine’s Day is just as valid as anyone else’s.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!