Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, but whether single or happily partnered, there are gifts no one else can give you but yourself – and maybe some dolphins. Self-care is one of the greatest. 

I’d fallen into an uncharacteristic stretch of nose to the grindstone-ing while working on a fun project. While that initially involved much creative excitement, it didn’t take long for me to crash from the lack of self-care.

Thankfully, I caught myself in the early stages of burnout, and went directly to the beach for sunset yoga.

Feeling more balanced within minutes, I noticed people taking photos by the shoreline. Hardly an uncommon site on the beach voted 2021’s best in the US (St. Pete Beach), I thought nothing of it until I realized they weren’t taking pre-sunset photos. They were filming something.

I watched the water for a few minutes before confirming my subject suspicion: dolphins! I’m a dolphin magnet, but it never gets less exciting to experience them. Dolphins are very high frequency beings, and the more open your heart is, the more you can feel the love they pour into you while interacting with them. 

Ecstatic to be doubly rewarded for my choice to gift myself self-care, I waded into the water to get a closer view. Then they came closer, to get a closer view of me – and the fish they were chasing. 

Eventually, they came so close, they were fishing right in the waves breaking along the shoreline! That, I’d never seen.

One dove right in front of me, soaking me with the splash! I’m sure I ended up in quite a few tourist videos.


It was an amazing experience and also a great message from the dolphin. It was my cue to put down my wet phone and be present for the rest of the encounter.

Not long after sunset, a young man jumped into the ocean, swimming aggressively in a manner the dolphins wanted no part of. They swam away.

Once the rest of us collected our jaws off the sand and regained our ability to speak, we bonded about the magical event we’d just witnessed and been part of.

I will post some of my pre-soakage footage later on the Love Without Traffic Instagram and Facebook pages.

Clear Your Traffic:

What type of self-care can you gift yourself this Valentine’s weekend?

What do you love to do?

Where do you love to go?

Even if Valentine’s Day isn’t your thing, or you are happily partnered with great plans, do something just for you this weekend. 

I’d love to hear what it is! Maybe your plan will spark an idea for someone else.