Valentine’s Day often centers around external displays of love and connection. But what about the love that matters most? The one you give yourself. This season provides an opportunity to shift focus inward toward self-love, internal fulfillment, and self-compassion—practices that are clinically shown to support emotional well-being.
NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 have partnered with Metrocare, the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas, to offer guidance on being compassionate to oneself over prioritizing perfection.
Self-compassion involves meeting your own struggles with kindness and understanding rather than judgment or criticism. In contrast, perfectionism often shows up as setting unrealistically high standards and tying your worth to performance and outcomes. While often socially reinforced, chronic perfectionism frequently leads to:
Persistent self-criticism
Fear of failure or mistakes
Emotional exhaustion
Avoidance behaviors
Increased symptoms of anxiety and depression
Choosing self-compassion over perfection isn’t just comforting, it’s a protective mental health strategy. When you practice compassion toward yourself, you reinforce emotional resilience and stability. Self‑compassion improves emotional regulation, supports healthier responses to stress, and encourages more adaptive coping. Ultimately, by recognizing you deserve the same care, patience, and love that you readily extend to others, you create space for healthier relationships, more balanced emotions, and a deeper sense of internal peace.
And if you notice signs of mental health strain—or simply need someone to talk to—support is available in Dallas, regardless of your ability to pay. Reaching out is an act of strength, and local resources exist to help you feel safe, supported, and seen.
If you’re unsure where to start, click here to find the Metrocare location nearest you.
Experiencing a mental health crisis? Metrocare’s 24/7 crisis hotline is available at 214-743-1215.
About Metrocare
Metrocare is the largest provider of mental health, developmental disability and permanent supported housing services in Dallas County serving over 50,000 children, teens and adults annually. For over 55 years, Metrocare has provided a broad array of services from mental health care, primary care, services for veterans and their loved ones, accessible pharmacies, homeless outreach, and supportive social services. Metrocare provides specialty mental health services to over 10,000 children and teens and has numerous programs for babies, children and adults with disabilities, including Early Childhood Intervention, Flourishing Families, Nurturing Parenting, Supported Employment and two specialty autism clinics in Dallas and DeSoto. To learn more, visit https://www.metrocareservices.org/.