Valentine’s Day is centered around couples, activities for two, love, and everything surrounding it. The message is made clear: this day requires a special someone to do all these special things, and have a special time—otherwise, you’re not special. Doesn’t feel so great for those of us who are alone and single. We don’t have a partner for dates or for exchanging cards and sending flowers. I think couples have had enough time hogging the focus of Valentine’s. Let’s make it a day for all the single people out there by filling it with self care and making it totally about us, a day to fully and completely treat yourself and feel good doing so. Because you don’t need to be with someone to make a great Valentine’s Day. As a matter of fact, you can have the best day ever spending the day loving yourself.
How? Try out these ideas:
1. Visualize your perfect day.
First thing in the morning when you wake up, try meditating, stretching, journaling...anything that gives you the opportunity to sit with yourself and cut out the extra noise around you. Simply tune into your body and reconnect. Be conscious of your feelings and how you want them to progress throughout the day. How do you feel and how do you want to feel? This is a great starting point and will set the tone for a great day ahead.
2. Craft your environment.
After connecting with yourself, create the perfect space to love yourself today.
After connecting with yourself, create the perfect space to love yourself today. In other words, pay some attention to your place of living and your overall space. Is it dusty? Is it cluttered? Is it a place where you feel well taken care of? Cleaning or tidying up your environment can be very therapeutic, and also, the result of a clean habitat to give yourself love in will leave you satisfied and stress-free for the great day ahead.
3. Gift yourself something nice.
Visit your preferred clothing store, get some antiques, or even buy a book. What’s one thing that’s been in the back of your mind for months that you’ve been wanting? Now would be a great time to buy it–guilt free. Remember, if you had a date, you’d be spending double anyways, so might as well splurge a little bit for yourself. A good Valentine’s date usually involves buying the other person a present, you just happen to be your own date for the day so gifting yourself something nice is totally appropriate!
4. Take yourself on an adventure somewhere new.
This could be the park, coffee shop, or a bistro you pass on a daily basis—any spot in your city that you’ve always wondered about but have never made it out to. Visit a new place near you and spend some time there, people watch, try a new drink, read a book, and go on a walk through the park. You’ll be surprised what discovering a new location can do for your mood and also your mind overall. It’s exciting and refreshing, plus wherever you go could easily become a new favorite spot for you to return to in the future.
5. Connect with nature.
This could be that walk in the park, maybe hiking, or even something as miniscule as walking around your neighborhood. Getting outside and exploring nature, whether its new or familiar, is a great relaxer that brightens your day and could even lead to you seeing something you hadn’t noticed before, even if it’s right by where you live. A walk involving nature in town or out in the wild, can be a huge boost to the mind and mood. Consider making it a regular thing, too, and walks can be your way of going to your “happy place”.
6. Do some sort of spa treatment.
Whether it’s at home by yourself or an actual spa, pamper yourself with a spa day. That’s right, spa day. Doesn’t matter if you’re a guy or girl, this is the ultimate “treat yourself” move for your special day. And it doesn’t have to be specifically going to a spa, but it can. Get a massage, lay out in the sun (if the sun is out). Hit the jacuzzi. Maybe do some stretching and relaxation techniques. Do a facemask, get a mani/pedi (Yes, guys can do that too). Take a really long, hot shower or bath to top it all off. After these methods of deep self-care and hygiene routines, you will feel fresh and brand new.
7. Reflect and relax.
As the evening arrives, wrap up the day by bringing home or ordering one of your favorite comfort foods, get in some comfortable clothes, and either read a book, watch something, or enjoy your favorite soothing music for a few hours. This is just time to fully relax and indulge in your favorite lazy, feel-good activities after a really fun and packed day. You don’t have to worry about the time or about chores (you already did those), it’s just your job to sit back, relax and take it all in. You’re gonna sleep peacefully when it’s all said and done.
Make the focus of today be all about you. Connect to what you want and what would make you feel loved, fulfilled, and well cared for. What’s better than having a picture perfect day for yourself while everyone else is stressed about what they should get their significant other? From now on, Valentine’s Day is Self-Love Day—the day you fully commit to treating yourself as your number one priority.