Single on Valentine’s Day? Time to spoil yourself! Here is a sample itinerary for a day alone on V-Day; get inspired and excited for this emotionally-conflicted holiday.
Four days before:
Make reservations for one at the nicest restaurant around. Yeah, it’s expensive, but you are your own couple so you might as well drop enough cash for two!
Two days before:
Go to the UCen and check out their cute, little Valentine’s Day card section. Pick out the one that makes you smile the BIGGEST. Sign it “Your Secret Admirer” in endearingly scribbly handwriting. Then comes the most important step: forget everything you just did…
The morning of:
- Make yourself heart-shaped, chocolate chip pancakes, and add some red food coloring if you’re feeling fancy.
- As you indulge in your romantic breakfast, make a list of everything you’re proud of lately—whether you finally read that textbook chapter, got promoted at work, or remembered to floss twice a day–you rock!
- Don’t buy yourself flowers–you’re in college; you can’t take responsibility for any other life form…even one that’s already dead.
At some point during the day:
- Go to See’s Candies on State Street and put together a heart-shaped box of chocolate, but don’t eat it yet.
- Use one of your iTunes cards from the holidays and rent Love Actually if you don’t own it. (I know they made a movie about Valentine’s Day a couple of years ago, but it’s really not that cute) Do this early because those take forever to load.
- Go on a run—even a short one, and you’ll instantly feel more confident about yourself.
- Take a shower and shave your legs, even though it’s winter (obviously bubble baths are more luxurious; but let’s be real, the bottom of an Isla Vista tub is never where you want to be).
- Paint your nails while listening to Frank Sinatra or Taylor Swift, depending on what type of person you are.
- Put your favorite bottle of wine in the fridge.
- Check the mail and be shocked when you receive a card from “Your Secret Admirer”—someone out there is thinking of you!!!
When the sun goes down:
- Hit up that dinner reservation, dressed to kill, and enjoy the entertaining people-watching that comes with being surrounded by lovebirds.
- Once home, get in some comfy pajamas and curl up on the couch with your box of chocolates, glass of wine, and Love Actually.
- After this, it’s really up to you!
The most important thing to do on Valentine’s Day, single or taken, is remind yourself that who you are dating or AREN’T dating does not define you. You are an amazing person and are capable of being happy without anyone’s help. That doesn’t mean you always have to do this, but it’s a nice skill to have.
XOXO All of you lovely ladies of UCSB–stay sweet!