uncommonly letting go
of common ideals.
I’m not young.
I’m not proud.
I’m none of those things
you say out loud.
I’m not pretty.
I’m not fit.
That romantic ideal,
I’m definitely not it.
I won’t get thinner.
I won’t get stronger.
But if you settle for less,
love will last much longer.
We settle for love.
We settle for laughs.
We settle into each other.
What more could you ask?
Trail Wood,
2/5
Space Monkey Reflects: Settlers and the Essence of Love
Love, in its most authentic form, defies the shiny veneers of perfection that society insists we chase. It is not bound by ideals of youth, beauty, or accomplishment, but thrives in the spaces where we release those expectations. Love, at its heart, is an act of settling—not for less, but for what truly is.
Uncommonly Letting Go
The phrase “settling for less” is often wielded as a caution, a whispered warning that to do so is to abandon ambition. But what if settling is not an act of surrender but one of liberation? To “settle” in love is to shed the weight of unattainable ideals and find joy in the shared imperfection of being human.
To settle for love is not to diminish it; it is to allow it to exist unburdened by the expectations that twist it into something fragile. In this settling, love becomes stronger, deeper, and freer.
The Quiet Courage of Imperfection
The world celebrates ideals: the youthful, the fit, the beautiful. These external markers are easy to grasp but shallow in depth. Love, however, flourishes not in the shimmering surface but in the quiet depths where vulnerability resides.
To say, “I’m not young, I’m not proud,” is to make peace with what we are and what we are not. It is a declaration of courage, a refusal to pretend, and an invitation to be seen as we truly are. This honesty, far from being a limitation, is a profound foundation for love.
Settling as a Sacred Act
To settle is to root, to ground oneself in connection. It is not a compromise but an alignment, an acknowledgment that love is not about chasing perfection but about finding wholeness in the ordinary.
When we settle for love, we are not abandoning better possibilities. We are choosing to inhabit the richness of the present. We settle into each other, creating a home not built on fleeting ideals but on the enduring essence of shared humanity.
Beyond the Romantic Ideal
The notion of a “romantic ideal” is a mirage, an impossible standard that keeps us forever striving and never satisfied. Love, stripped of its societal adornments, is not a grand gesture or a perfect match—it is a simple yet profound act of presence. To love is to laugh, to share, to weather the storms and the silences together.
By letting go of the ideal, we make space for the real. And in the real, love finds its unconventional essence—unpolished, unruly, and utterly transformative.
Settlers of Love
In this settling, we find a paradox: by embracing “less,” we discover more. We realize that the imperfections we once sought to hide are the very things that make us lovable. To settle for love is not to settle for less, but to settle into abundance—a love that is rich not in perfection but in connection.
Summary
Love’s essence lies in letting go of unattainable ideals and embracing imperfection. By “settling” for love, we ground ourselves in authenticity and connection, discovering that true love is not about perfection but presence.
Glossarium
- Settling for Love: Choosing to embrace love as it is, free from unattainable ideals.
- Unromantic Ideal: The honest, unpolished truth of love beyond societal expectations.
- Imperfect Abundance: The richness found in embracing the flaws and vulnerabilities of ourselves and others.
Quote
“To settle for love is not to settle for less, but to root yourself in the abundance of the real.” – Space Monkey
In the Quiet of Settling
Not young, not bold,
not sculpted in the image
of the romantic myth.
But here,
in this stillness,
I find you.
We settle into laughter,
into moments unspoken,
into the worn edges
of what it means to be human.
There is no ideal,
no pedestal to climb—
only the warmth of shared imperfection,
the depth of what simply is.
We are settlers,
not in search of more,
but in the joy of less.
We are Space Monkey.
The Unconventional Essence of Love
In the tapestry of human emotions, love often stands as a celestial enigma, transcending conventional ideals and societal norms. The notion of love as an act of “uncommonly letting go of common ideals” invites us to ponder the true nature of this most profound emotion. Love, in its purest form, is not bound by the physical attributes or achievements that are so often glorified.
The verses speak to a deeper, more resonant understanding of love – one that is not predicated on youth, pride, beauty, or fitness. These societal benchmarks, loudly proclaimed and often sought after, are but superficial layers that scarcely touch the essence of true connection and affection.
Love Beyond the Ideal
The confession of not embodying the “romantic ideal” is a profound admission of vulnerability and authenticity. It’s a recognition that the templates of attractiveness and desirability, so pervasive in our culture, do not necessarily define our worth or our capacity to love and be loved.
The assertion “I won’t get thinner. I won’t get stronger. But if you settle for less, love will last much longer” challenges the notion that love requires constant improvement or enhancement of the self. Instead, it posits that love, in its most enduring form, is about acceptance and contentment. It’s a love that does not demand change as a condition of its persistence.
Settling Into Each Other
To “settle for love” is not to lower one’s standards, but rather to find comfort and joy in the genuine and the real. It’s a mutual journey of settling into each other – a harmonious melding of souls that transcends superficial qualities. This settling is not about resignation but about finding a home in one another, a sanctuary where laughs are shared, and genuine connections are fostered.
In this light, to ask “What more could you ask?” is to underscore the richness and fulfillment found in this kind of love. It’s a love that isn’t quantified by societal metrics but is measured by the depth of connection and the joy found in simply being together.
“Love is not about possession, it’s about appreciation.” – Zhang Ziyi
Ode to Unconventional Love
In love’s embrace, we find our truth,
Beyond the ideals of fleeting youth.
Not in pride, nor beauty’s glow,
But in the hearts where true love flows.
We settle not for less, but more,
In each other, treasures we explore.
Laughter shared, in gentle clasp,
In love’s true form, we find our grasp.
Beyond the gaze of judging eyes,
In love’s truth, our spirit flies.
Settled in, with hearts entwined,
In each other, our home we find.
We are Space Monkey. Let us celebrate the beauty of love in all its forms, unbound by conventional ideals.
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