WILL I BE MY VALENTINE?

3 min read

Let me ask you this: what if the love you’ve been searching for has been within you all along…and you did not even notice?

In a world that forces us to measure our worth through the eyes of others, where swipes superficially define us and mirrors become silent judges, this series flips the narrative and hands us back the power.

Did you hear that?! Yes, we have the power!

This isn’t one of the usual voices against relationships, nor is it a celebration of single life, and it’s certainly not about self-indulgence.

Quite the opposite. This is about love — real love. It’s about the most important relationship you’ll ever have: the one with yourself. It’s about the quiet, often-overlooked act of learning to truly and deeply love who you are.

This series reflects, first and foremost, my personal journey, one filled with ups and downs.

We’ve all been there: trying to mold ourselves into someone more likeabke, waiting for a WhatsApp message to dictate our mood, swiping through dating apps in search of validation, or posting on Instagram just to feel seen. Chasing approval in places that were never meant to define our worth.

The more mature I am getting, the less I give a fu** about everything. Pardon my French.

Real self-worth comes from within: the quiet, often difficult process of accepting ourselves fully. Not just the version we present to the world, but also the flaws, the doubts, and the moments when we’ve questioned our own worth.

Oh boy, this can be hard work!

It sounds easier said than done, but I’ve realized that this is also the first step to reaching inner peace and truly being able to love someone else.

Because HOW can you give what you don’t already have within yourself???

The guy matching with himself on Tinder? He’s metaphorically discovering that he’s already worthy, no matter what the algorithm says.

The girl caught mid-selfie? She’s capturing the self-confidence she fought to reclaim.

The one proposing in front of a mirror? That’s a vow to show up for himself, every single day.

…And the girl with the helium balloon? She’s pulling joy and lightness closer, a playful reminder that happiness is hers to claim on her own terms.

My imagery might feel bold and whimsical, but that’s the point. Love - especially self-love - isn’t always subtle. Sometimes it’s playful, exaggerated, or even a little surreal.

We’re so often told to find “the one,” to search for love as though it’s missing. But what if the first step isn’t searching, but stopping? Pausing to realize that love starts right here, with the person staring back at you.

This series is an invitation to rethink how we view love. Before you swipe, before you search, before you give love away…cultivate it also within yourself.

After all, the longest relationship you’ll ever have is the one with you.

So, I am asking again now, will you be your Valentine? :)

P.s.: The series was inspired by “Girl with Balloon” by Bansky

Credits:

Models: Elijah Knight, Bettina Zbinden, Lucia Verdejo, Rafael Colombelli