How can I begin if saying “I love you” to my parents feels unfamiliar?

If saying ‘I love you’ directly is difficult, begin with writing, a sticker or a caring phone call. You do not need to demand that it feel natural immediately. First let family know that you are thinking of them and care, then gradually practise.

Dao Jing shared that, after a year or two of spiritual practice, one day she suddenly told her father she loved him very much, surprising even herself. Later, she expressed missing him and gratitude more often and took the initiative to call. She felt family interactions gradually becoming gentler. This was her change; every family need not move at the same pace.

When I first entered working life, I attended a talk about expressing love to parents. That Mother’s Day, I bought my mother flowers, told her I loved her and hugged her. She was deeply moved. Previously, it seemed that buying flowers and saying those words were things I did only for a girlfriend. Actually expressing them to family felt very different.

However, people grow up in different circumstances. Some parents are stricter, and speaking openly truly requires courage. Other families rarely say the words but still feel love through caring actions. Begin where you can, rather than turn one sentence into another pressure. The messages and stickers Dao Jing mentioned are easier ways to practise.