As February arrives, love often becomes a topic of conversations due to the approaching Valentine’s Day. Amidst all the talk of romance, grand gestures, and external expressions of devotion seen everywhere, from social media to storefronts, it’s easy to feel like love is something we need to search for or earn.

Yet, the wisdom of Rumi invites us to look inward:
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

This powerful insight reminds us that love is not something to chase.

It is not an elusive treasure to be found outside of ourselves. Instead, love is ever-present, like the sun behind the clouds, waiting to be fully embraced.

The real work lies in uncovering the walls we have built that keep it at bay.

Through life’s experiences, we often create protective layers around our hearts. these barriers may take the form of past disappointments, fear of vulnerability, self-doubt, or deeply ingrained beliefs about worthiness.

We may long for deep connection while simultaneously resisting it, unaware of the ways we shield ourselves from receiving the love we desire.

For a long time, love was something I struggled with.

Because I didn’t truly love myself, I didn’t have much luck in romantic relationships. I searched for love outside of me, not realizing that the missing piece was within. It took deep inner work to recognize that the way I related to myself was reflected in my external experiences. Once I started to embrace self-love, everything began to shift.

True love—Soul love—starts within. It’s about making peace with past, rewriting limiting narratives, and allowing ourselves to receive love in its purest form.

When we soften our defenses and embrace self-compassion, love flows more freely. We begin to recognize that love is not only found in relationships but in the way we meet ourselves, moment by moment.

This February, instead of searching for love outside of yourself, turn inward. Reflect on the barriers that may still linger, the ones that whisper, “not yet” or “not me.” What if love is already here, waiting for you to say YES to it?

Dr. Katja Rusanen with Hay House Honorable Mention