Love feels like work sometimes, and that's because your Saturn square Venus makes you approach relationships with the same careful planning you'd use for a major life decision. You have this built-in caution when it comes to opening your heart, which means you don't fall for just anyone, but it also means you might hold back when someone genuinely good comes along. People probably see you as someone who has high standards in love, and they're right, though what they don't always see is how much you worry about whether you're worth loving back.
The beautiful thing about this aspect is that when you do commit, you're all in for the long haul. You don't do casual very well, but you excel at building relationships that actually last because you put in the effort that others skip. Your cautious approach to love might feel frustrating when you watch friends jump headfirst into romance, but your slower, more thoughtful style creates something solid. Once you learn to trust that you deserve the same love you're willing to give, your relationships become examples of what real partnership looks like.
That transiting Saturn square your Venus thing you're dealing with right now is putting some pressure on your relationships and wallet, but it's not trying to ruin your life. Saturn's basically asking you to get real about what you actually value versus what you think you should value. Your friendships and romantic connections might feel a bit stiff or like you're walking through mud, but this is where the good stuff happens if you lean into it.
This square is like having a stern but caring mentor pointing out the weak spots in your love life and spending habits. The tension you're feeling isn't punishment, it's Saturn helping you build something that will actually last. Those conversations that feel awkward or relationships that suddenly require more effort are showing you which connections have real staying power. Your bank account might be teaching you some lessons too, but you're learning to spend on things that matter rather than just things that sparkle.