Inspired by “Parks and Recreation,” there are five ways you could spend this Valentine’s Day even if you are feeling alone.
Some people think that Valentine’s Day was made by Hallmark just to sell more cards, but sometimes it’s an excuse to splurge on yourself and others. Whether you spend the day in or go out with your friends or family, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about going out with your significant other.
- Galentine’s Day
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February 13 is the day to commemorate your gal pals just to show them how much you love them. It can include your mothers, sisters, friends, whoever you want to celebrate on the day made to celebrate women. As Leslie Knope of “Parks and Recreation” says, “every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies.”
Reserve a brunch with your favorite people and turn the couples holiday into a time where you can celebrate with the ones you love. Shower them with personalized gifts, pay for lunch, go over the top with decorations — just because.
“You know my code. Hoes before bros. Uteruses before duderuses. Ovaries before brovaries” is what Knope says to remind her friends what Galentine’s Day is all about.
- Stay In
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Take the day for yourself. Just because everyone else is going out, doesn’t mean you have to. In fact, it should be an even bigger reason why staying in is the better idea. Self-love is so important especially when you find yourself putting your work or others before yourself. Make a list of all of the chores you have to do and put on an upbeat playlist.
Take out your best face masks, body scrubs and bath bombs, then spend the day on self-care. Give yourself a full mani-pedi. Start eliminating movies off of your watchlist by starting a movie marathon by yourself. These are just some of the things you can do instead of going out.
Your time is just as important as anything else and why not use Valentine’s Day to catch up on the self-love you might be missing out on on the other days of the year.
- Treat YourSelf
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If you’re feeling a little down on yourself on Valentine’s Day- don’t because you should get to enjoy this day. Take a little advice from “Parks and Rec” characters Donna and Tom, “once a year Donna and I spend a day treating ourselves. What do we treat ourselves to? Clothes. Treat yo self. Fragrances. Treat yo self. Massages. Treat yo self. Mimosas. Treat yo self. Fine leather goods. Treat yo self. It’s the best day of the year.”
Take this Valentine’s day to “treat yo self.” Even if you can’t spend money this year, pull out that old foot bath, make a smoothie and add clothes to your cart that you hope to get in the future. A treat yourself day is about you, and a friend if you want.
- Set Some Goals
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Working towards your future is a different type of self-love. It is one where you focus on your goals and yourself all in one go. The thing about working towards your goals is that they could be anything you think of. Your goal could be traveling the world, getting your dream job or even just making a new friend.
This could even be your opportunity to set an objective, if you don’t already have one, and work towards it. If your dream is to save up for a trip to Europe, come up with a financial plan to get it done. If your goal is to have a better relationship with your friend, then spend the day with your friend.
- Do Something for the People You Love
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Not having a significant other on Valentine’s Day just means that you should use the day to celebrate the other people in your life that you love. Get your best friend that item they have been eying or take them out to their favorite coffee shop. Valentine’s Day is the day to spoil your family and friends (or even yourself).
If you want to keep yourself busy for the day, take your family out to dinner or stay in with a friend for the day.
Finally, sometimes the greatest joy in life is the happiness you can give to others just by being there and showing them how much you love them. Likewise, you should show the same kind of love to yourself this Valentine’s Day.