As the holiday of love approaches, so many emotions can rush through you. Of course, if you are single and looking for love, Valentine’s Day can feel like a looming difficult day filled with bouts of sadness, loneliness or exclusion. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
Sure, February may be full of red and pink hearts as far as the eye can see, screaming “Be mine!” at every turn, but holidays are a time to celebrate and find joy. Don’t let the time of love pass you by without embracing everything that is possible in your life. Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, whatever form it may take for you at the moment. Embrace the time of your life you are in and find ways to share love with yourself and others.
Self-care is not selfish
As women, we’ve heard about the importance of self-care in countless ways throughout our lives. Due to the pandemic, self-care has become a trending topic that seems to be shaping the world. Although self-care is essential to self-growth and an overall healthy sense of self-love, it can be overused and used as a cliché. Self-care is about more than spa days and sheet masks.
Self-care is about maintaining your inner peace, making space in your life for those you see as part of your future, and living your wildest dreams and desires without compromise. Self-care is especially important during holidays or times when we are down. Even if you’ve heard about the importance of a self-care routine in your life, think of it as a way of life rather than a regimented plan that tells you to do “X, Y, or Z” to be healthy stay happy and healthy.
Self-care is a mindset that should be part of who you are. So this Valentine’s Day, embrace the idea of self-care by taking care of your mental and emotional health. And remember, Valentine’s Day is only one day of the year. Don’t overemphasize arrival. It will pass as quickly as it came.
Single mothers and self-care
With the busy lives so many of us lead, even during a pandemic, finding time for self-care is often difficult. As a single mom, self-care can be a special challenge! You often navigate the world on your own, putting your child’s needs ahead of your own. Although this idea is natural and in most cases achievable, you need to take some time to take care of it. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty glass.
Whether you’re a single mom or not, here are some ways to indulge in some self-care occasionally:
- Find a yoga video you can do at home and enjoy during your child’s nap or school day.
- Try a new recipe just for yourself.
- Grab a book and lose yourself in the action. Give yourself 30-60 minutes of reading before bed every night.
- Write down daily goals and mantras to stay motivated and centered.
- Spend time outdoors a few times a week.
Celebrate this Valentine’s Day
This year, rewrite the script of what Valentine’s Day means in your life. Shut out the noise and turn within to find ways to celebrate everything you’ve done, everything you are, and all the goals you have ahead of you. As women, we can indulge in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Don’t let overdone decorations, advertisements, nice remarks or social media posts from others destroy your inner peace. Consider taking a mental break from social media to focus on your own happiness.
My expert tips on how to celebrate YOU this Valentine’s Day include:
- Pencil in a Girls Trip – Bring your single friends together and plan a trip or dinner together on Valentine’s Day to celebrate each other and let off steam. In light of the pandemic, you might consider doing something virtual, like a “sip and chat.”
- Enjoy a spa day – Indulge in the treatments – manicure, pedicure, haircut, massage and facial – and spend the whole day pampering with you so you can enjoy the night relaxed and refreshed.
- Go on a Date – Go to your favorite restaurant and enjoy a special meal, including dessert and drinks. If you’re looking to take it easy, especially due to COVID-19, order at your favorite restaurant and indulge at home. As you enjoy the food and drink, grab a journal and jot down 10 things you love about yourself. Celebrating you and putting it on paper is an instant mood lift!
- Treat yourself to a new piece of clothing – Whether you like clothing or jewelry, go shopping and treat yourself to something that celebrates you. Another great idea is to buy flowers. Nothing refreshes your space and brings joy like a beautiful and fragrant bouquet of flowers.
- Get some extra ZZZ’s – Sleep is a wonderful thing and often underestimated. Use the day to sleep in and enjoy the time at home.
- Connect with a friend who adores you – There’s nothing quite like a night out with your best friend. Plan ahead so you can look forward to a Valentine’s Day event. Spend a few hours doing something you both love. Anything from a hike to a walk to drinks and dinner. Contacts can also be created virtually, for example during an urgently needed girl talk on Zoom.
- Dress for the Occasion – Whether you’re going out or staying home, find a cute outfit to fit the Valentine’s Day mood. From adorable heart pajama sets to a sexy red dress for dinner, there are tons of options to choose from.
- Enjoy a Movie Marathon – There is perhaps no better pastime than watching your favorite movies or TV series. Enjoy some delicious treats and be enchanted by the magic of cinematography.
Ways to pass love on to others in your life
If you love the idea of pampering yourself this Valentine’s Day but would like to be more social or show others how much you care, there are ways to find happiness while spreading love to others.
Here are some great ways to spread love this Valentine’s Day:
- Book a Couples Massage – Invite your single friend over for a safe visit to a local spa.
- Host a virtual or in-person party for your single friends – Send each other surprises in the mail and share the moment together virtually, near or far or in person. Fun gift ideas include: chocolates, flowers, a surprise dessert from their favorite local eatery delivered via UberEats or DoorDash, or fun trivia games to play together via Zoom or in the same room.
- Send Flowers to Others – Whether it’s your parents, family members or other single friends, flowers are sure to put a smile on the recipient’s face and on yourself. The gift of gift giving never disappoints.
- Text the ones you love – Tell your family and friends how much you love and appreciate them on Valentine’s Day. A simple SMS (or phone call) can go a long way.
Being single on Valentine’s Day is no reason to avoid the holiday altogether. Celebrating love can (and should!) happen at all seasons of your life. Soak up the sentiment of Valentine’s Day without feeling weighed down by the idea that you need a partner to enjoy it with. Celebrate yourself and others this Valentine’s Day and the love of the holiday will shine through!
Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels .
