Love and care beyond Valentine’s Day: Why intimate care should be a year-round approach.
Last updated 12 February 2026
This article was written by Melissa Vranjes, Certified Holistic Sex and Relationship Coach, Somatic Therapist.
Valentine's Day has this beautiful, alluring, romantic way of putting a spotlight on love, whether that’s galentines love or romantic love, and I’m here for that.
The flowers arrive, dinner reservations are booked, the “special” lingerie drawer opens, the toy box gets unlocked. And for a day, we’re reminded of the importance of play, exploration and intimate care.
And while I love this reminder…I don’t love how short-lived it can be. It puts the spotlight on all these important, often fulfilling rituals for 24-hrs and then the 15th rolls round and it’s back to not reaching for pleasure, not caring for our intimate bodies and “not having time” for ourselves.
Caring for your intimate self shouldn’t be a once-a-year ritual.
Caring for your body is an ongoing relationship, and that relationship truly shapes how comfortable, confident and connected you feel every day of the year.
For many women, particularly in their mid-30’s and arguably beyond, life becomes so full in the most meaningful ways. Careers evolving, families growing, responsibilities expanding, all whilst nurturing friendships, romantic relationships and trying to squeeze just a little self-care in there - somewhere.
With so much richness comes the constant juggle of doing, being and giving to everyone, and sometimes the most audacious thing we can do is carve out a small moment to return back to ourselves.
Intimate care is one of those moments. Giving yourself permission to enjoy something pleasurable (which you absolutely deserve without having your to-do list finished, by the way), and reconnecting with yourself or a lover, rather than waiting for a special occasion to justify it.
Intimate self-care can look different for everybody.
There are so many beautiful ways to intimately care for your body. I guess it all comes down to what you’re desiring at that moment - solo connection time, partnered connection time or maybe you’re vibing a nude yoga class surrounded by other courageous women (I’m yet to go to one but it’s on the list)!
Solo connection time might look like a 5-minute body oil session post-shower. Or it could be a slow, intentional vulva massage with a few drops of the Maebl lubricating serum before self-pleasuring. It’s less about reaching orgasm and more about tuning into pleasurable sensations.
Partnered connection time could be an elongated foreplay session (genitals not included), where you explore different ways to touch, tease and play with each other's bodies before eventually making your way to more intimate areas. A personal tip - the Maebl mist sprayed over genitals when fully aroused is truly an erotic experience, whilst simultaneously freshening things up in the most luxurious way. Win-win!
Intimate care isn’t about perfection
It’s about recognising that the vulva, vagina, and surrounding skin are deserving of the same thoughtful care we give the rest of our bodies. As our bodies move through different seasons, consistent gentleness and quality products can be the catalyst for leaning into pleasure, rather than avoiding it.
Valentine’s Day can be a beautiful reminder of love, romance, and connection - yes. But my invitation to you isn’t just for a single day or evening. It’s to bring intimate care into your ordinary days and make it a year-round ritual - post shower, mid-week evenings or intentional planned partnered time.
Love and intimate care is something we cultivate - ongoing, consistently, and starting with ourselves…including what we choose to put on and in our bodies.
Melissa Vranjes
Certified Holistic Sex and Relationship Coach, Somatic Therapist.
@melissavranjes