It’s February - the month of red hearts, bouquets of roses and grocery stores looking like Cupid has thrown up everywhere. If you’re lucky enough to be happy with your current relationship status - this isn’t a big deal. But what about the rest of us?
I’ve spent a lot of time on my own around Valentine’s Day and here are some tips to help you beat the Valentine’s Day Blues:
1. Spend Time With Friends
For the Parks & Recreation fans out there - you may be familiar with Leslie Knope’s annual “Galentine’s Day” dinner:
Leslie was known for being a super-positive character who wouldn’t let anything get her down (except for when Lil’ Sebastian died). Even though she was perpetually single on Valentine’s Day, she found a way to keep the group morale up by planning time for the women in her life to hang out and celebrate each other.
Plan a party or a movie night. Let the people in your life know they are appreciated. This will uplift them, but it will also help keep your spirits up.
Just remember to try to keep the focus on positive things so the mood doesn’t turn bitter like that restaurant scene from the movie Valentine’s Day:
2. Get Organized
Maybe you’ve been putting off the spring cleaning since last year (no judgment here). Channel any pent up feelings about Valentine’s Day and get in gear to do a deep clean of your space. Watch Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix for tips and tricks on how to organize on a budget.
If you get everything in order before the 14th, it will make your girls’ night or time to yourself feel that much better. The sense of accomplishment will help deter negative feelings that you might be having about being alone.
3. Give Back
Christmas and Thanksgiving are usually the holidays when everyone thinks of volunteering and giving their time back to the community. But there are still people and animals in need around Valentine’s Day, too.
Dedicating some time to those in need may be just what you need to lift your spirits around this time of year. Whether it’s your local food pantry, soup kitchen, animal shelter or senior living center - focusing on something bigger than what day it is will help you channel positive energy.
4. Show Yourself Some Love
That might sound a little dirty, and that kind of self-love might apply too. But I’m talking about taking care of yourself. Take a break from your hectic schedule and spend some time doing something you love.
Whether it’s treating yourself to a day at the spa, getting take out and watching Netflix or lighting some candles and using that fancy bubble bath you’ve been saving - turn your phone off and spend some peaceful time with yourself.
Also, if you are like me and tend to internalize a lot of the doubt and insecurity that comes with being perpetually single on Valentine’s Day, please remember to take it easy on yourself. Rachel actually gave me some great advice during a reading once that I’ve passed on to others: Don’t measure your self-worth based on how others treat you.
I’ll take it a step further. Just because things may not have worked out the way you want them to in the love department quite yet, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t deserving or worth it. It just means the timing hasn’t worked out for you.
I’ve done a lot of research on being a Christian single, but I think the biggest thing I learned can apply to anyone, regardless of faith: take this time to enjoy yourself and your freedom. There’s a lot of stuff you are free to do now that would be more difficult if you were in a committed relationship or even married. For example, I like to take random long drives with the radio up. That’s much harder to do when you have someone to answer to or a family to take care of. Enjoy the little things while you can.
You can also use this time to learn more about who you are. Find out what drives you. What is it that you like to do? Get to know yourself. There may be things that you’ve been waiting to do until you’re in a relationship. Why wait? Do them now. Don’t be afraid to explore on your own. You can always take someone back to make new memories and show them the places or activities you discovered that you loved.
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Whatever your plans end up being this Valentine’s Day, remember to have some fun and don’t take the pressure of the day too seriously.
Please feel free to check out the Galentine’s Day Playlist that I made on Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE_b2Df80cTc8HQ1CRMgF0qXrAWzxAMSS
Stay strong my lovelies, and Happy Valentine’s Day. XO
Guest Blogger: Kate Baker