It’s that time of year again… love is in the air. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we are living in a perpetual state of heart-shaped everything. For some, Valentine’s Day means chocolate-covered strawberries, a dozen red roses, homemade gifts and candle-lit dinners. However, for us single folks, Valentine’s Day is our yearly reminder that we are alone. Not to say that there is anything wrong with being single the other 364 days of the year, but on this one day, we can all agree that it sucks. So, as you scroll through social media looking at happy couples celebrating their love or awkwardly shuffle past a couple kissing in the middle of the sidewalk because they are so in love they can’t wait until they are home, remember that there are still ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a single person. Here are some ideas of non-romantic love to recognize on February 14.
Love for Friends and Family
This is one that should be appreciated every day, regardless of your current relationship status. Your friends and family love you unconditionally and don’t need a holiday to show their love for you. However, this Valentine’s Day, do something special for them to show just how much you love them this year. This could be anything from a girl’s night in, filled with wine and movies to a phone call with a family member you haven’t seen in a while. No matter how big or small, friends and family deserve a gesture of love.
Love for Opportunities
Take some time on Valentine’s Day to think about all the opportunities and experiences you have had over the past year. This could be a new job that you are proud of or a recent vacation that you went on. Maybe you received amazing grades last semester and haven’t taken the time to congratulate yourself yet. Whatever experiences or opportunities you have had, this is your chance to be grateful, be happy and be in love with the life that you are living.
Love for Nature
Have you ever gone outside on a sunny day and felt the warmth of the sun on your skin instantly lift your mood? Or have gone for a walk through your favourite part of the park and saw birds chirping and dogs running around? These are moments that we don’t always appreciate when they are happening to us but are a huge part of our daily well-being. This Valentine’s Day, go outside and love the beautiful world that we live in.
Love for Yourself
This one is obvious but still needs to be said. Self-love is important every day of the year, regardless of your relationship status. However, being single on Valentine’s Day can bring out insecurities and self-doubts that otherwise would remain internalized. While the day may be hard, do not dwell too much on it. Take the day to love yourself. This could mean making a list of all your great qualities, getting dressed up and taking pictures, listening to music that makes you feel confident, eating as many sweets as possible in one day or anything else that reminds you that you are one incredible person who is loved unconditionally.
Whichever way you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day, I hope that it is filled with love. If you have a romantic love to celebrate, then celebrate until you cannot possibly celebrate anymore. If you are single this Valentine’s Day (whether by choice or not), remember that you still have so many things to love and are loved by so many others.