Valentine’s Day- one of the most controversial holidays out there. Some people love celebrating it, while others despise it. No matter how you feel about the holiday, I think it is important to make the most of it. If you don’t have a significant other to spend the holiday with, that’s perfectly okay; you can always find someone else special to spend it with. This Valentine’s Day I am going to be spending it with some of my friends and we’re going to have our own, very special, Galentine’s Day.
First order of business: Stay off of social media! I know how tempting it can be to check what others got from their significant others or to just complete your daily scroll. But, as I’m sure we all know, social media is the key to FOMO and it can make the holiday a little harder to get through with a positive mindset.
The second key to a Galentine’s Day is finding a group of friends to have fun with! There are people all over campus who aren’t in a relationship, are doing long distance, or aren’t able to see their significant other looking for something to do. Ask your friends if they have any plans, rally together a group that might want to do something, and spread the word. The more people you can muster up, the more fun it will be.
The next thing is to plan out your activities. Your Galentine’s day could range anywhere from staying in your pajamas, watching a rom-com, and eating your favorite snack to dressing up with your friends and going out to dinner at a nice restaurant you’ve heard about and been wanting to try. Have a conversation with the rest of the group and see what everyone has in mind. If a few options are circulating, you could make a fun-filled agenda with multiple activities. For example, you could get your nails done, bake something, make valentines for others, or go on a shopping trip… the possibilities are endless!
The last, and most important thing to keep in mind, is to have fun and not think about what you are “missing”. I know that for a lot of people, it is so easy to focus on what you don’t have and compare your life and what you are doing, with the people around you. But you need to focus on yourself and not worry about how other people’s lives look (especially if it’s showcased on social media!). Spend quality time with the people around you, enjoy the moment that you are in, make memories, and have fun with yourselves. You deserve to be just as happy as anyone else.
Personally, I think that Galentine’s Day may be more valuable than Valentine’s Day itself. Romantic relationships come and go, but the bond and memories that you make with the people around you will last a lifetime. It is important to focus on yourself and learn to love the moments that you can create. With that being said, don’t dwell on the upcoming holiday and all of the lovey-dovey relationship posts you might see. Instead, try to make the most of the situation with what and who you already have- I guarantee that you are going to realize that is all you need.