Great Things Take Love

February kicks off our first Great Things Take Time Challenge to rediscover how we show love and remind us that love is always possible. It’s easy to walk around feeling closed off from the world, or only sharing love when it’s convenient.

This month, we aim to break that. Scared of what it might look like to let love into your life? It’s the shortest month of the year! You have no excuse not to join in.

Whether showing love for your community, a stranger, or yourself, love is at the inception of all Great Things. Great Things Take Time, but they also take a lot of love.

Great Things Take Love

This challenge is 28 days of seeking out love in every aspect of your life.

Below, you will find a full break down of the 28 days. Feel free to save the image, or download the PDF to keep track of your progress. If you feel inspired to share a day or your progress, don’t hesitate to tag @greatthingswith_adrian or use the hashtag #GreatThingsTakeLove. I’d love to share your stories to encourage others to seek out love. Use the cherry blossom emoji 🌸 to mark off days you’ve completed and hold yourself and others accountable.

There will be daily reminders from the @greatthingswith_adrian  Instagram account and weekly recaps during the normal Mondays. This challenge has been a pleasure to put together and I hope you’ll be willing to join me!

Saturday 2/1/25:  Self-love

It can be easy to show love to others, but sometimes it's impossible to show love to ourselves. Think about all the horrible things you'd tell yourself, would you EVER say them to someone you care about?

Probably not.

This is the first day of the challenge because it might be the hardest to get used to, but you can easily do this every day of the month (and every day thereafter). Start today by looking at your reflection in the eyes and telling yourself something you love. Whether it's in front of a bathroom mirror, a rear-view car mirror, a window, or on your front-facing camera, tell yourself something you love and BELIEVE IT. "Hey self, I love you, and this is why..."

Sunday 2/2/25: Self-love Round 2 

Did you come out of your hole, see your shadow, and get scared off? I hope not, but regardless, today is another chance at self-love. Today, start with day 1 and then continue to show love to yourself by apologizing and forgiving yourself. We all have things we hold over our heads: we're not fast enough, strong enough, smart enough... you get the picture. Today, talk to yourself like you're someone you care about and apologize for the hurtful things you've said over the years. Be specific! But the key here is to accept your apology and know you mean it.

Monday 2/3/25: Literary Love 

Have you heard of this place where you go and show proof of where you live, and then you can read any book you want? For free? It's called a library. 🌈 

Jokes aside. When was the last time you sat down with a good book? Not one that you felt like you HAD to read, but one that made you love reading. It can be any genre, but pick up a book and start reading today. It's Monday; you might be drained at the end of the day, which means a perfect time to end your day with a book and an early bedtime, not 3 hours of streaming your nervous system probably doesn't need.

Tuesday 2/4/25: Embrace Your Roots 

Roots mean different things to us all. It may be where you came from or a community that influenced you. It's the people, places, or things that have given you the foundation of who you are. Today, find a time to honor your roots. This might be through a meal, a visit, reviewing pictures, or consuming a type of media, to name a few.

Wednesday, 2/5/25 Natural Love 

Love is always natural. Love is not forced. What in your life are you trying to make work? What feels natural, but you're afraid to follow? Today is about reflection on what your life is missing and what is not serving you.

Thursday, 2/6/25: Must Be Love On The Brain 

Show your brain some love today. Find something that helps clear it and relax it. For me, that's solo drives in the car or meditation. You can almost hear it say, "AHHHH."

Friday, 2/7/25: I Love Warm Hugs 

You know who loves warm hugs? Olaf. You know who could also benefit from a warm hug? You. Studies show that physical touch can help with stress but also with loneliness and isolation. When was the last time you gave or received a hug? Find someone today who is open and willing to engage in a hug with you for 20 seconds or more (the time needed to see the benefits). Better yet, play by Disney Parks rules and never be the person to let go of a hug first.

Saturday, 2/8/25: A Little Love 

Show love to the littles in your life. That could be pets, kids, plants, or your pet rock! What are the little creatures around you that get you through your days? Find time to put them first today and show them how happy you are that they are in your life.

Sunday, 2/9/25: Love Is A Hobby 

Today is the Super Bowl, and whether you're into sports or just there for the commercials, it's hard to miss hearing about the big game. No matter your involvement in the Big Game, carve out some time today to do a hobby that is just for you. Remind yourself how much you love pursuing things that make you happy, even if the whole world feels like they're moving in the other direction. It also reminds you that two things can be true: you can enjoy things that others love and things that you love as well.

Monday, 2/10/25: That Emo Kind of Love 

Ah, the Sunday after the Super Bowl, it may be a tough Monday to get through. But then again, for many, most Mondays are! Today find time to give space for the unique and complex emotions that make up your life. Find time to journal and reflect on the feelings that aren't always sunshine and rainbows and what they've done for you. How do they help you look at life or push you to improve upon things? They are just as complex as you and deserve love, too!

Tuesday, 2/11/25: Love For Your Elders 

Today is about parents, grandparents, teachers, elders in your community, or whoever else has shown you mentorship, love, and guidance over the years. Reach out to share a message of love and gratitude for how they have impacted your life over the years. No act is too small. We wouldn't be here without the people who have helped mold us and bring out the best in us.

Wednesday, 2/12/25: Tickled Pink with Love 

Who doesn't love to laugh? Not only does laughter have loads of positive health benefits, but it also feels GOOD. This Wednesday, seek out the things that make you laugh. Watch the video, or call up the person who makes you smile. Tell a dumb joke to get people around you laughing. Whatever it is, find a way that makes you laugh and love the way it makes you feel.

Thursday, 2/13/25: Love What's Lost

Make space for the things you lost or had to let go. Whether it's people, opportunities, physical things, or feelings, spend some time thinking about them and the impact they had on your life. Bid them goodbye and send them on their way with love. While they might not have been right for your life, they can still receive love.

Friday, 2/14/25: Love Your Body 

We don't always love our bodies. We look in the mirror and find things that we don't think look right and that we want to change. Today, find a way to honor and love your body for the things it helps you do. It's Valentine's Day, so why not remind your body that you're proud of it being the only one you've got?

Saturday, 2/15/25: Mental Health Love Pt. 1 

It's the weekend, you can relax a little. Do you love the way you feel when you've removed all the things from your mind that mess with your self-worth, mental health, and peace...? Maybe it's social media, maybe it's the news. Commit to getting rid of that one thing for the next two days, and love all the extra energy you have to dedicate to the people and things you love.

Sunday, 2/16/25: Mental Health Love Pt. 2 

Repeat Saturday. It's just two days! You can do it!

Monday, 2/17/25: Food Love 

Mondays can be the worst. But when there is a tasty meal waiting for you, they can feel even better. Pick out or make a meal that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside (even if it's a smoothie). We often don't appreciate our nutrition or see it as a tool to get to a goal. Today, be reminded of how much you love the taste of food, so much so that it makes you do the happy food shimmie when you eat something you love. You know the one.

Tuesday, 2/18/25: Gratitude 

Another reflection day, write down all the things you are grateful for. Don't let feelings of "if only I had this, then I could feel.." cross your brain. Put this list somewhere you can see it as a reminder of the beautiful things in your life.

Wednesday, 2/19/25: Love That No One Is Looking 

Sure, you're often told to dance like no one is watching, but what do you reeeeeally want to do if you didn't have anyone around you? Would you sing at the top of your lungs? Dress a certain way? Give an epic TedTalk? It's humpday, and maybe what you need to get over the hump of the week is to remember that you're unlimited. Today, love that feeling of freedom and reckless abandon that comes from doing something you love and forgetting about anyone else's opinion.

Thursday, 2/20/25: Love for Movement 

We've made it through 20 days of this challenge, how many of these days have you incorporated movement into them? Whether it be a tough workout, a casual walk, a relaxing yoga class, a long hike, or a bumping dance party, find a way to move your body today that fills you with love, not dread. What makes you happy to move? Find that and do it!

Friday, 2/21/25: Communal Love 

We all are supported by a community. When we say community, it might mean a group of people to you, or it could mean a physical place like a park. Find a way to give back to the people, places, or things that support you. Love for your community is one of the most beautiful ways to show love because it is so easy to be magnified. Taking time to clean up litter at a park may inspire others to help with beautification efforts, and the butterfly effect will lead to a community filled with love.

Saturday, 2/22/25: Love Of Your Legacy 

Have you ever written your own obituary? Why would you? While this one may feel strange, take time to sit down and write out your legacy. What have been the highlights of your life? What else are you planning to add to that?

An obituary is like a highlight reel; it summarizes who the person was and their biggest achievements. We forget to look back on our lives to celebrate ourselves and never really sit down to take a moment to focus only on our achievements and wins. Write down the things you are most proud of achieving and none of the things you could care less about. You write your own legacy.

Sunday, 2/23/25: Quality Love 

Carve out a bit of time with someone you love. Put down the phones, go on a walk, or do anything else that lets you focus on each other. Need a starter? Try the 36 questions that lead to love.

Monday, 2/24/25: Free Love 

Today is your free space. Is there something missing you think needs love? Today is your day to do it! Spread love in your authentic way!

Tuesday, 2/25/25: Essential Love 

Remember when New Yorkers would clap for the people who went to work during the pandemic? It was a daily show of appreciation and love. When was the last time you shared love with an essential worker? Today, send a message, write a card, send an email, or find another way to spread love and tell an essential worker how grateful you are that they keep your life moving. Sanitation workers, postal workers, doctors, nurses, first responders, delivery people. These are the humans that make our goals and lives possible, do you think they feel loved?

Wednesday, 2/26/25: Forgotten Love 

Who have you forgotten to remind of your love? Don't wait to tell the people you love that you care about them. No matter the level of love, it's important to share how you feel. Tomorrow is never promised.

Thursday, 2/27/25: Love The Thrill 

We're almost done with February.... and it might feel like we just started. Today, seek something out that scares you or gives you a thrill! Make plans with a new friend, try a new type of workout, and pick an outfit that is different from what you'd normally wear. Love that feeling that gets your heart racing. It's a reminder you're alive!

Friday, 2/28/25: Strange Love

On the last day of this month, I hope you're overflowing with love for the people around you. So much so that you have enough confidence to share some love with a stranger. Buy their coffee, tell them you love their outfit or find any other way that feels authentic to you to spread love.

You’ve got this!

Remember:

-Adrian