Valentine’s Day isn’t Just for Couples and People in Love
We have officially entered February. As the year moves forward, this month contains a particularly popular holiday: Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is synonymous with romance and spending the day with your significant other. Wine is drunk, chocolate is eaten, cards are given, and love is shared. While this is an exciting holiday for those in committed relationships, it’s hardly a day single people look forward to.
For those not in a relationship, Valentine’s Day and the days leading up to the holiday remind them that they are single. It can be very difficult for people not in relationships to enjoy themselves or be happy around this time of year. But it is far from impossible.
While Valentine’s Day is historically a holiday celebrating the intimate love shared between two people, it can also be a day to love friends, family, and, above all else, yourself. Lifeworks Counseling Center is here to help you enjoy Valentine’s Day while single. You may find out that you love this holiday, after all.
Celebrate Your Friends and Family
Like we said before, Valentine’s Day is a day for sharing love with those you care about the most. That doesn’t just mean significant others. You can show your friends that you care for them! If you have a group of friends who are single or have no plans this Valentine’s Day, plan a night out. Have a group dinner, go see a movie, or go to your favorite spot to have a drink.
Don’t let this holiday force you into thinking about what you don’t have. Take Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate the friends and family that you do have.
Treat Yourself
Sure, you may not have someone to spoil this year, which also means you have no one to spoil you. But that doesn’t mean you still don’t deserve a gift! While everyone is busy trying to find that perfect gift for their romantic partner, you already know what the perfect gift for yourself is. You don’t need to stress about making sure someone will love your gift since you know yourself better than anyone else. Buy yourself those shoes you’ve been wanting, that dress you’ve had your eye on, that video game you’ve been wanting to play, or anything else. Other ways you can treat yourself include:
- Take yourself to the movies
- Give yourself a spa day
- Send flowers or chocolate to yourself
- Schedule a massage
- Go shopping
Remember You Aren’t Alone
Yes, you are single this year. And while it may feel like everyone in the world is in a committed relationship but you, that’s not the case. In fact, according to data from the General Social Survey, about 51% of young people ages 18 to 34 reported that they don’t have a steady romantic relationship. More American adults are single now than ever before. While everyone has a different reason for being single, there are more people not in a relationship than there are in one. Before you let Valentine’s Day make you feel bad for being single, just remember that you aren’t alone, and you shouldn’t be ashamed.
Wear Something That Makes You Feel Good
Whether you plan on going out alone, celebrating with a group of single friends, or staying in and watching a movie, put on an outfit that makes you feel good. What you wear has a big impact on your mood. Certain outfits make you feel more powerful and confident. Some make you work harder and focus better. Find an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself and wear it for whatever you plan on doing on Valentine’s Day.
Stop Procrastinating
Is there something you’ve been putting off for too long? Maybe there is a book or screenplay you want to write, a blank canvas waiting to be painted, or a gym membership that isn’t being used. If you’re single on Valentine’s Day, don’t mope around about not being in a relationship. Take initiative. Do the things you’ve been wanting to do. Use this day as motivation to better yourself.
Practice Self-Love
While this does fall in the same vein as treating yourself, it’s so much more than that. Use this holiday as a chance to look at who you are. Don’t focus on being single. Focus on you. Write yourself a love letter. Write out everything you love about yourself. Focus on the aspects of who you are that you genuinely love and wouldn’t change.
Look back at previous relationships, but don’t dwell on what you lost. Focus on what you gained from them and how you have grown as an individual since then. Celebrate the moments of triumph over the obstacles you have faced. Telling yourself all the great things about yourself and all the things you love about yourself boosts your self-esteem and self-worth.
Engage in a Random Act of Kindness
The world is full of love everywhere you go, but many people tend to focus on the bad that the world has to offer. If you are single this Valentine’s Day, consider dedicating some of your time to those in need. Random Acts of Kindness Week is an opportunity to spread love across the world to people who need it. Being kind not only helps others in need, but it also helps your mood and mental health. Being compassionate and kind helps reduce stress, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boosts your mood. Go out to your local community center or find another local organization to donate your time to. Regardless if you are coupled up or single, you can always be kind to others.
Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday for millions of people across the country. While many people relish in being able to spoil their partner, many people are single and don’t enjoy this holiday. However, just because you’re single doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Valentine’s Day. Lifeworks Counseling Center has provided you with plenty of ways you can celebrate this lovely holiday. Did we miss any of your favorite Valentine’s activities? Let us know!