Without fail, each year when the month of February approached, I would get this sinking feeling in my stomach synonymous with dread. From the subconscious pressure of having to impress a significant other, to the self-imposed worry of being judged by others for being sans partner during this godforsaken holiday, I have had pretty terrible experiences when it comes to February 14th.
This consistent anxiety led to my previous aversion to all things Valentine’s. I have never been a person who enjoys the idea of (or does well with) spending a specific day commemorating a personal romantic relationship; it’s just not my niche. I began to boycott this (as I previously saw it) “ridiculous romance-revelry.”
But, for those of us not looking to celebrate romantic love specifically, Valentine’s Day does not have to be such an anxiety-inducing event. In reality, this holiday can be about celebrating all types of love, ranging from familial, to romantic, to even platonic! If you look at February 14th from a different perspective, you can find that it is a much more inclusive holiday than we give it credit for.
When I began to examine this holiday in a different light, I was finally able to appreciate and enjoy Valentine’s Day, stress-free. While it’s true that celebrating personal romantic relationships has never been something I’ve enjoyed doing, commemorating the love I have for my closest friends definitely is.
The friends I have made in this life so far have been some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Candidly, I don’t know where I would be without them today. I personally believe that celebrating the love in one’s close friendships can be a truly fulfilling experience.
For those of you looking to enjoy Valentine’s Day by showing love to your friends, here are eight ideas on how to enjoy your upcoming love holiday.
- Have a fun little picnic moment.
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Picture this: you and your best friend (or friends) dress up in cute, cottage-core dresses, pack a picnic basket to the brim with your favorite snacks (bringing along a charcuterie board is an absolute must), and spend a whimsical day eating and enjoying each other’s company in a lovely meadow (weather allowing, of course — having a picnic in a snowstorm is definitely not a vibe).
- Movie night: go to the theater (or watch a comfort movie together at home).
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Here’s an option where you can go out together, or stay in the comfort of your home to have fun (this one is for all my fellow introverted, socially anxious people out there). If the theaters are for you, go watch a newly released movie with a friend (my best friend and I recently went to see “Encanto”: highly recommend). If staying in is for you, pop out that microwavable popcorn, pick a comfort movie, and settle in. The beauty of it all is that the movie doesn’t specifically have to be a romantic movie. The movie can be any type of genre: horror, action, fantasy…literally anything your friend and you will enjoy together.
- Movie night: drinking game edition.
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Following that movie night trend (it’s just such a good option, I promise), this one is for my gals and pals over the age of 21 that like to drink with their friends every now and then. Put on a sappy romantic comedy, grab some popcorn and the drinks of your choice, and every time that the male or female lead does not communicate with the other (the dreaded miscommunication trope), take a shot. I promise you this is a much more frequent trope than you would think.
- Have a “besties in a bookstore” moment.
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For my fellow bookworms, I recommend a fun day in a bookstore looking at paperbacks with your best friend. Look around and pick out a book you think your friend will enjoy reading. Better yet, after picking said book, read and annotate it yourself before giving it to your friend to read. It sounds like such a simple idea, but I can promise that receiving an annotated book from one of your friends is such an enjoyable and thoughtful present. This way, you can show your friend that you care about what they like, enough to even take an active role in it yourself.
- Look at some stars.
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Go stargazing with some friends, or a friend of your choice. This can be a relaxing way to spend some personal time with the people you care about. Enjoy looking at the beautiful starry night while quietly enjoying each other’s company, or having the deep talks that can truly solidify a friendship for life.
- Friend appreciation, athletic edition: time to go on a hike.
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Take some time to unplug by going on a hike with some friends up a mountain. There are plenty of those to choose from here in Colorado. Get to a place where cell service might be a little spotty, and spend time enjoying each other’s personal company while enjoying the peaceful company of nature. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even go camping.
- Dance it out!
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Have a little Christina and Meredith moment. That’s right, you heard me! Sometimes life can get super stressful, and the best way to get past it is by dancing your problems away, especially with the added company of a best friend. Take some time to boogie down with your person, and enjoy the sheer happiness of being in the presence of one another. It’s a fun way to relieve personal stress and have fun with a valued person in your life.
- Have a cute cooking moment.
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Spend an evening with a friend and learn how to cook each other’s favorite meals. This way, you can learn more about your friend, and you can learn how to cook a yummy meal (I promise you, this will come in handy later on in your life when ramen every night just doesn’t do the job anymore).
Valentine’s Day can be about celebrating any type of love in your life; it doesn’t necessarily have to be of the romantic variety. Spend February 14th expressing your compassion and care towards those special friendships in your life.