In the tangles of red hearts and pink fluff, Valentine’s Day can be many things to people. Overwhelming, special, fun, lonely. It depends on who you ask.
It’s easy to be swept into the ‘it’s a couples only holiday‘ narrative. To think that if you don’t have a partner, you’re exempt from all celebratory activities. That you’re not tall enough for the ride. Well, this is simply not true. Valentine’s Day has slowly become more inclusive of the fact that you don’t need to be in a relationship to be celebrated. Valentine’s Day celebrates all kinds of love.
So, if you’re spending this Valentine’s Day on your own this year, or if you’re single, like myself, here are some ideas on how to celebrate you! And if you’re celebrating as a couple, my advice still applies. Regardless of your relationship status, finding love for yourself and for your own company is essential.
Buy the damn rose
Buy yourself flowers, as Miley Cyrus would want you to (I am, of course, referencing her very new, very relevant hit song ‘Flowers’). A single rose, even. Treat yourself to that present you’ve been eying up. Buy a box of chocolates. Order pizza and watch a cosy film. Water your plant. Write yourself a card. Go out for coffee. Organise brunch with your friends or dinner with your family. Celebrate your pets. See? Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be miserable.
Self love
At the end of the day, you’ve always got your own back. If you find yourself suddenly alone, you’ll always have yourself to rely on. It’s important to nurture the relationship that you have with yourself. Luckily, self care is talked about almost everywhere nowadays. Remember, self love isn’t selfish.
So, don’t wait around for someone to buy you a rose. Do it for you, period.
What if I’m in a couple?
As I mentioned, Valentine’s Day celebrates all love. So, reflect and celebrate the love you have for your special person AND for yourself. What’s to say you can’t buy yourself a little treat and be treated out at the same time?
Why wait for Valentine’s Day?
What’s to stop you from loving who you are everyday? On your low days and your high days. Enjoying your own company can feel alien at first but it gets easier with time. So, whether you’re single, in a couple, or if it’s a tad complicated, don’t forget yourself this Valentine’s Day and every Valentine’s Day after that.
Cover art: pink heart shape made from flowers by Freepik
rebekah writes stuff. 