RE: Unlearning Performative Love in Your 20s

For years, I used to dread Valentine’s Day. I told myself it was superficial, overhyped, and proof that love shouldn’t be reduced to one day. But looking back, I don’t think I hated the holiday — I think I hated how performative love felt in my early twenties. In this episode, I’m talking about performative romance, social media relationships, and the pressure to express love in ways that look impressive instead of feeling honest. When you’re in your early twenties and still learning how to trust yourself, it’s easy to confuse what love looks like with what love actually feels like. We’ll explore: Why love can feel performative in your 20s The pressure to “prove” your relationship publicly How social media shapes our expectations of romance Why Valentine’s Day isn’t the problem — our understanding of love might be Learning to trust your own definition of love This episode is about emotional maturity, self-trust, and redefining love beyond grand gestures, aesthetics, and expectations. If you’ve ever questioned whether you genuinely feel something — or just feel like you should — this conversation is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices