A Valentine Love Letter to My Nervous System

Dear Nervous System,

This Valentine’s Day, I’m writing to you — the one who has been with me through every moment, every breath, every surprise, every heartbreak, every joy. You, who never sleeps on the job. You, who scans the world for danger even when I’m just trying to find my keys.

You’ve protected me more times than I can count. You’ve kept me alive. You’ve kept me moving. You’ve kept me safe.

And I love you for that.

But sweetheart… we need to talk.

Because sometimes — and I say this with all the tenderness in the world — you go a little overboard.

Like when:

• Someone doesn’t text back right away and you act like we’ve been abandoned in the wilderness.

• Someone’s tone shifts slightly and you throw us into full “brace for impact” mode.

• We hear a loud noise and you decide we should probably prepare for the apocalypse.

• Or my personal favorite: when I’m trying to fall asleep and you bring up something embarrassing I said in 2014.

You’re adorable. You’re dramatic. You’re trying so hard.

And I see you.

But my love — we don’t need to live in that state anymore.

You don’t have to be on high alert all the time. You don’t have to carry the whole world. You don’t have to fire off alarms at every shadow.

You can rest. You can soften. You can trust me.

So today, on Valentine’s Day, this love letter is for you — my loyal, overworked, beautifully human nervous system.

Thank you for everything you’ve done. Thank you for everything you’ve tried to do. And thank you for learning, slowly and gently, that we’re allowed to feel safe now.

💗 With love, Your Human