by Danielle Roberto

Just because there is a lockdown doesn’t mean you can already barricade your heart and stop it from feeling the warmth of love. Even with Miss Rona halting the everyday hustle and bustle, you can’t really silence the clamor echoing in your chest. It may be hard to find ways to let it out, but believe it or not, love can safely transcend the pandemic that we’re in. As we maneuver through these times of isolation, finding ways to connect may be difficult.. But it’s not entirely impossible. 

We receive, give, and communicate love in different ways through our love languages. These love languages allow us to better understand the people we love.  Here are some of the ways in which you can express your sweet affection, without having to break any quarantine rules. 

A Distant Touch: Physical Touch

Having physical touch as a love language amidst the virus scare can lead to many struggles. With social distancing being encouraged and imposed everywhere, physical intimacy is more scarce than ever, and touch is off the table. There is no other way but to adapt to the current situation as the safety of everyone should still be prioritized. One way would be reminiscing a memory of a wonderful embrace that you once shared, which could be as simple as a hug. Through this simple recollection, you can fondly taste the crumbs of warmth you’ve felt during that time. Handwritten letters, hoodies, and shirts specially concocted with your signature scent can make your loved ones feel your presence from far away. No matter the distance, these simple gestures can truly touch one’s heart. 

Alone Together: Quality Time

If you value spending time with your friends and family, then quality time might be your love language. You feel loved when you have their undivided attention. However, because of the pandemic, bonding sessions took a different turn. Zoom game nights, one-on-one video calls, or Netflix parties are the contemporary alternatives to the usual day trips and meet-ups we used to have back in the pre-COVID days. To make your quality time more personal and in-depth, cooking the same dinner or ordering the same food and eating it together while on a video call is a doable replacement for the old restaurant dates and food trips. We may be all alone in our homes, but when we spend quality time with the people we love, it would feel as if we’re already together even when we’re miles apart. 

Vows of Validation: Words of Affirmation

I am proud of you. You always look amazing. I appreciate everything that you do for me. Isn’t it nice to hear these words especially with all the stressful things going on around? It’s a language of love that proves that words can really go a long way— it can hurt people, but also uplift them and make them feel loved and treasured. Words of affirmations aren’t just given to our loved ones, but to ourselves as well. The amount of love we give to ourselves shouldn’t fall short of the amount of love we give to others. Practice self-care and self-love by validating your feelings, working past them, and telling yourself what you need to hear. 

The Art of Giving: Gifts

Whether it’s a branded item or not, even if it’s as simple as arts and crafts, or even letters, for people with receiving or giving gifts as their love language, it’s always the thought that counts. Presents are symbols of love and bring joy to both the receiver and giver. This love language hasn’t really been affected much by the lockdown, in fact, it was even boosted as buying items became more accessible with the onslaught of online stores like Shopee and Lazada. Gift-giving is a careful process and requires a serious deliberation of what gift is the most meaningful and holds the best emotional benefit. Moreover, gift-giving isn’t really restricted to loved ones and material things, you can also treat yourself with rest days and mental health weeks when you feel like you need it.  

Virtual Helping Hand: Acts of Service

Through acts of service, like simply doing household chores for your loved ones, helping them out on an assignment, or making breakfast during busy days are some of the ways people show their love and affection. With the implications of the pandemic, it may be harder to display this love language to your friends or relatives residing far away. To cope with our current setup, you can order food for them through Grab or Lalamove when they have a hectic week ahead. Reminding them to eat and sleep on time, listening to their rants, alleviating their stress, and giving advice are more acts of service that you may practice without any repercussions from the virus. Another way is holding them accountable for their goals, keeping tabs onthem, and checking their progress. For example, when your friend decided on working out, you can be of help to them by reminding them of their aspirations and asking them if they are still head-on with their fitness plan. If they ever feel unmotivated, you can even hype them up. Make them feel that even though you’re far apart, you’ll always be there to lend a virtual helping hand. 

Although the course of our lives has drastically changed over the past months, we must hold on to the people that have stood with us through the troubles, personally and virtually. This setup may have resulted in broken friendships, unretrievable relationships, or connections that simply just drifted away, but don’t let go of people who have made all of this bearable because it is in these hard times, like a lengthy lockdown, when love should be shown and given the most. 

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Sources:
Nguyen, J. (2020, May 19). Retrieved February 9, 2021, from mindbodygreen website: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-5-love-languages-explained
Mandriota, M. (2020, April 6). Quarantine love languages: How to effectively convey love and support during the pandemic. (2020, April 6). Retrieved February 9, 2021, from Well+Good website: https://www.wellandgood.com/quarantine-love-languages/