Forget The Notebook – This Movie is a Must-Watch

For the many years navigating adulthood, I started this blog as a place to document my experiences. FlairCandy has been my little corner of the internet, a space where I can pour my thoughts out – sometimes consistently, sometimes in long gaps. But no matter how often I write, this blog has always been a tool for self-expression, a way to untangle emotions, and a piece of my mental health toolkit.

Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to write again. Maybe it’s the season. Maybe it’s because I missed writing a Valentine’s post, something I used to do almost religiously. I would rewatch Vicky Cristina Barcelona, finding myself resonating with different characters at different points in my life. Cristina, chasing passion. Vicky, seeking stability. Maria Elena, embracing chaos. Each stage, a reflection of my own journey.

But this year, Crazy, Stupid, Love feels like the movie I want to return to.

The Beauty in the Mess

There’s something about this film that hits differently as you get older. It’s not just about romance; it’s about love in its rawest, messiest form. The heartbreak, the self-discovery, the unexpected connections – all wrapped up in humor, charm, and that unforgettable Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone chemistry.

I think we all have that moment where we feel like Steve Carell’s character, Cal – a little lost, blindsided by life, trying to navigate heartbreak while rediscovering who we are. And then there’s Jacob, played by Ryan Gosling, who seems to have it all together until love flips his world upside down.

And then there’s Hannah.

Emma Stone has this magic of playing characters that are unordinary. A little quirky, a little offbeat, but always endearing. I’ve always related to that – never quite fitting into a mold, embracing my own version of unconventional. And in Crazy, Stupid, Love, she plays Hannah. My name. All the more reason I find myself drawn to her character. She’s smart, confident, and doesn’t fall for Jacob’s usual smooth moves. She makes him work for it. And in the end, she’s the one who turns his world around.

A New Valentine’s Tradition?

Maybe Crazy, Stupid, Love should be my yearly Valentine’s watch. A reminder that love isn’t always what we expect. That heartbreak doesn’t mean the end. That even in our most broken moments, we can find humor, growth, and, dare I say, hope.

So here I am, writing again. Using this space as an outlet, just like I always have. If you haven’t rewatched Crazy, Stupid, Love in a while, maybe it’s time. Maybe we’ll all find a little something new in it every year.

What’s your go-to Valentine’s movie?