Hello February! It’s the month of love—one of life’s most unpredictable, thrilling, and, let’s face it, sometimes frustrating experiences. Ever wondered when people actually fall head over heels, why some couples hit from a rough patch to a complete meltdown? Or, what time of year is prime for a little extra “excitement” outside the relationship? Spoiler: it’s not what you think. But trust me, you’ll want to stick around for the juicy details!

 

So, as we kick off pre-Valentine’s Day and the love month in the year of the snake, grab some bitter juice and settle in as we dive into the surprising patterns of love, breakups, and—dare I say it—cheating!

 

 

LOVE: WHAT MAKES ONE FALL IN LOVE?

Heart check! With “a little bit of this, a little bit of that,” we came up with 10 common factors that might contribute to the game of love:

 

 

So, when do people usually give love a chance or another shot? Although these observations are more anecdotal than statistically verified, individual experiences of falling in love can vary significantly based on cultural differences.

 

• March to June: Often associated with new beginnings after the first quarter of the year until the half of the year, March is commonly seen as a time when people are more open to forming new romantic connections.
• Summer Months: The warmer months tend to be filled with social activities, vacations, and outdoor events. This can increase opportunities for meeting new potential partners.
• December: The holiday season creates lots of social gatherings and festive events where people may meet and form romantic bonds.

Love, untethered by seasons or timing, is undeniably a gamble we choose to embrace. Its unpredictability forms the crux of its beauty—a journey where risks abound but rewards can be immeasurable. In daring to love, we accept this uncertainty, recognizing it as a risk worth taking for the profound enrichment it brings to our lives.

 

 

BREAKUPS: WHY SOME COUPLES CALL IT OFF?

 

If a friend reaches out to tell you they’re thinking about calling it quits with their partner, these 10 factors could help them process their feelings. Ask them if these items are in their “it’s complicated” status. We hope, though, that you won’t have to end up relating to our very relatable list yourself:

 

 

Did you know some studies and anecdotal evidence suggest breakup patterns in these months?:

 

• March: Sometimes referred to as “spring cleaning” for relationships, March sees a peak in breakups, especially as it’s the final month on the first quarter, associated with seeking new beginnings for the year.
• December (pre-Christmas): Just before the holidays, there can also be a rise in relationship terminations, possibly due to holiday stress or the desire not to spend the festive season in an unhappy partnership. Obviously, this is not a very merry way to “wrap” up something. 
• April: April is often noted as a month where many relationships end, aligning with the idea of summertime and the other person choosing to spend their vacation without any strings attached to anyone.
• Post-Valentine’s Day: As sad as it sounds, some couples reevaluate their relationships after Valentine’s Day, leading to more breakups in late February. Everyone seems to be on the verge of proving something on V-day as if it’s D-day!

 

Again, these trends are derived from various surveys and social media activity analyses. Yet, no matter what time of the year breakups usually happen, it’s still shattering to have somebody you see “from strangers to friends, friends into lovers, then strangers again,” as the hit song by Celeste goes.

Now grab some tissue and gently dry those tears because…

 

 

TRIGGER WARNING: WHY DO PEOPLE CHEAT?

 

Why can’t breakups just be a little less complicated by having the emotional maturity not to cheat, right? No offense, and I get it: we’re only humans and we get tempted. But sometimes, one can go too far, and it takes one to catch them to change or quit the shenanigan.

 

Now, reflect and assess yourself if these “excuses” feel like hope:

 

 

If you trust your partner enough, I guess we don’t have to tell you to be careful. Otherwise, we still have your back, as these months are believed to be the usual times of the year when cheaters are out and about.

 

• January: Often referred to as “Divorce Month,” January sees a spike in people seeking new beginnings after the holidays, including engaging in affairs or deciding to leave a relationship.
• Summer Months: The increased socializing and vacationing during summer can provide more opportunities for infidelity.
• December: The holiday season can also see an increase in cheating, possibly due to stress, festive gatherings, or end-of-year reflections leading people to act on existing dissatisfaction in their relationships.
• Any Time of The Year: Because, let’s face it, the work of the un-good never ends.

 

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we hope that this text empowers you to take care of, protect, and nurture your relationships more.

 

If you are falling in love, make sure you don’t commit just because you’re lonely, or just ‘cause everyone around you is paired up except you (sorry for being blunt!). If you’re thinking about parting ways, make sure you don’t decide based only on emotion. Communication is step one, so try to agree on some matters. Just never ever resort to cheating. It takes two to tango!

 

 

Some resources:
https://www.yourtango.com/news/study-reveals-september-most-popular-month-affairs

https://www.momjunction.com/articles/why-do-we-fall-in-love_00641108/

https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/why-do-people-breakup/