It’s the holiday we all love and hate. For some people, it is known as a day to be spent with that one special person in your life. For some others, it is an equally intimate occasion to be spent with a movie, a large cheese pizza, and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s “New York Super Fudge Chunk.” Whatever you did, I hope that you had a rockin’ time.
But alas, it’s finally over. The leftover candies go on sale, and people finally stop talking about Fifty Shades of Grey. The long hyped weekend has come to a close. What happens now?
Here are some ideas for things to do after Valentine’s Weekend.
1. Put away the scale.
First of all, forget the pounds. This step is crucial to dealing with post-Valentine’s. Everyone deserves to splurge a little and dine on indulgent, delicious food, but checking out your weight afterwards can be a daunting and heartbreaking experience. People underestimate the presence of water weight, and often freak out at the five extra pounds they seem to have put on during the weekend. Fret not, the new food baby isn’t here to stay. Forget the scale and push the thought of numbers and weight right out of your mind.
2. Replenish your body.
After an entire weekend of sweets, what better way to detox your body than having a few days of healthy eating? Again, this time period shouldn’t be spent worrying about the extra pounds; your focus should instead be about eating to feel refreshed. A healthy diet will clear your mind, help you focus on studies, and give you greater energy boosts. Oats, dried fruit and nuts can be mixed with yogurt into tasy, healthy museli. Raw fruits and vegetables make for great snacks, replenishing your body with much-needed vitamins and minerals.
3. Appreciate friends and family.
Remember, people send love to you everyday, not just on Valentine’s. And similarly, love comes from all around you, not just from your significant other. Remember last week, when your parents sent you that package of warm socks? Remember your best friend trekking through the snow to your dorm, to comfort you after you’ve had a particularly difficult day? Appreciate these loving gestures with verbal and written thank you’s, showing your appreciation. Maybe even return some favors with small gifts, hand-written cards, or even a surprise get-together for brunch.
4. Reciprocate love.
If your significant other treated you on Valentine’s Day, be sure to return the gesture. Whether it be taking you out for a four-course dinner, buying you flowers, or simply giving you a back rub, your man (or woman) have done their best to show their affection and make you feel on top of the world. Love works both ways, so if you were treated like a princess during this special holiday, plan some event in return to spoil your SO silly.
5. If you’re single, ENJOY IT.
Life does not revolve around romantic relationships, and, as contradicting as it sounds, neither does Valentine’s Day. Personally, it took me a while to learn one of the most important lessons in life: to love yourself. If you were single on V-Day, I sincerely hope that you owned it. There is nothing shameful about buying yourself a box of your favorite candies, or taking yourself out to a nice meal. If you forgot to enjoy yourself, it’s not too late to do something fun with your besties, like getting into PJs and watching reruns of Friends.
Don’t fall into that pit of sorrow and self-pity, and don’t let negativity (especially from social media) affect you. Instead, be thankful that you had this chance to spend quality time either alone or with your friends. As long as you enjoyed your weekend, it doesn’t matter who you were with. Feel lucky and empowered to know that you’re able to make yourself happy, without having to deal with the stress of being in a relationship.
Photo Sources:
http://youngiris.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/friends.jpg
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/09/men-still-pay-for-dates