Valentine’s Day is traditionally all about couples…but does it really have to be that way anymore? I choose to believe that Valentine’s Day is all about love, and all kinds of love should be reinforced and appreciated this holiday, especially your relationship with yourself. As college students, Valentine’s Day is unfortunately during a really busy time, but it’s still important to foster this relationship. Here are a few ways I plan to practice self-love this year:
- Go on a solo date
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Getting to know yourself and do the things you want without relying on other people is important! Solo dates don’t have to be dressy solo dinners at a restaurant, but maybe something a little more casual. Personally, I love shopping by myself, going to a cool mall and walking around. Other ideas include going to the beach or picnicking out in nature with your favorite foods. I even recommend going to see a movie by yourself, it’s a fun way of getting out of the house. I recommend checking out @LAbucketlist on instagram for fun solo date ideas, or any similar bucketlist websites or accounts in your area!
- Take a moment for yourself every day
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For us quarter system ladies, midterms can feel like a life or death struggle to stay afloat while you’re drowning in your studies. Long nights staying up to study and a lack of sleep can combine to put you in the worst mood ever. I know it’s hard to do, but you have to give yourself a second to step away. I’ve found that if I’m going through the same Quizlet set five times in a row and still making the same mistakes, it might mean I’ve worn myself thin, and I’m not really learning to the best of my ability. And this isn’t just an isolated phenomenon; sleep studies have found that the less sleep a student gets, the worse their memory retention becomes. When this hits, you must step away. Take a moment to do something you like, such as watching a TV show or calling a friend. Your body will thank you and allow you to hone in on your craft in a better mindset.
- Pamper yourself in little ways
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For me this past week, pampering myself looked like sitting next to a mirror and plucking my eyebrows and washing my face with a fancy new wash. I suggest doing anything that will rejuvenate you! Put on a cute outfit and step outside for a little. Do a face mask and allow yourself to be lazy. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything cosmetic or beauty related, but can boil down to something as simple as a nap. Do something that you know will make you feel content and elevated.
- Practice gratitude
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I know, this one might be a little cheesy. But it is important to consider the good in your life when things get a little rough. One way to do this is to try out a gratitude journal. I was first introduced to this kind of journaling in a high school yoga PE class, where before we stretched, we wrote down three things that we were especially grateful for that day. I got accustomed to writing down little things that happened during the day that made me smile, but not really thinking anything of it, until we spent a period of class during finals week reading through all our happy moments from the semester. That memory helped me reflect on all the good in my life, and truly showed me how important it is to appreciate myself and my life. A UC Berkeley study even went as far as to capture the effects of practicing long-term gratitude, and found that not only are people with gratitude practices more likely to have a healthier mindset, but they’re also more likely to pass along their gratitude by dedicating themselves to causes they care about.
Take the time to care about yourself, not only on February 14th, but as much as you can. Your body and your mind are what are getting you through your life, and nurturing that relationship is arguably the most important relationship you need to manage.