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Technically, we know that being single on Valentine’s Day isn’t a big deal. It’s just like any other day… But for some reason the thought of loved-up couples, romantic movies and heart-shaped chocolates filling the shops… it’s only natural to feel irritated or down hearted.
Valentine’s Day can be an opportunity to reflect on all the different types of love in our lives, from friends, pets, music, hobbies, passions – you name it! So, this year, why not “feel the love” on Valentine’s Day by celebrating what you love most in your life, cultivating self-love and spreading love with the people you care about.
Instead of ignoring Valentine’s Day, reclaim it as your day!
Here are some ideas of things to do:
Cook your favourite fancy meal
No need to cater for anyone else – here’s an opportunity to treat yourself to whatever you fancy – and push the boat out too, it’s a celebration after all! Pick up a bottle of fancy wine from the top shelf, pick up that extra special dessert… you deserve it!
Brighten someone else's day
Do you know someone who has recently lost their significant other? A thoughtful text, or a small gift could mean the world (and will make you feel good too!). You could pop some of their favourite things in a gift bag, choose some flowers, grab a coffee together or bake them something tasty.
Write your future self a love letter
It might sound cheesy, but writing yourself a love letter, sharing your strengths, values and all of the other things that make you an amazing person can be a really powerful and healing experience. The website Futureme.org lets you write a letter which then gets delivered back to you at a future date of your choosing – you could choose to send it back to yourself next Valentine’s Day!
“I love this. I've sent myself 5 letters so far and every year it's a surprise. Because I forget so easily. It turns into such a deep reflective process, that I usually weep and laugh while I write." - User of Futureme.org
Call a friend
Call a friend or family member and enjoy catching up together. Romantic love is just one type of love to celebrate on Valentine's Day - but there are so many other love-filled relationships to celebrate!
Host a movie night or game night
Get your friends, family or fellow singles around for a cosy movie night. Choose feel-good movies, romantic comedies, or even anti-Valentine's films for a good laugh. Or go old-school with some board games!
Buy yourself some flowers
Pick up some flowers – and they don’t have to be red roses… grab some cheery daffodils to brighten up your space.
Challenge yourself
Challenge yourself to bake something tricky like macaroons or decorated biscuits. Enjoy them for yourself or give them out as special presents to a friend, family member or neighbour.
Baking not your thing? You could challenge yourself to paint or draw a picture of a place or thing you love, like your childhood home, a special place, a pet etc.
Take a hike
You call it freezing cold… we call it refreshing!? 😃 There's nothing like a peaceful winter hike to help clear your mind.
These are just some of our ideas, but the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is by doing exactly what YOU want to do – eating your favourite foods, watching your favourite film, spending time on your favourite hobby or doing whatever helps you love yourself and recognise you for being the awesome person you are.
Do you often feel lonely?
We all feel lonely at times – it’s a totally normal human emotion. As human beings, we are biologically wired for social contact. A bit like when we feel thirty, our bodies are telling us that we need to drink something, loneliness is our signal that we need to pay attention to the amount of social contact we’re having. If you’re finding your loneliness overwhelming, have a read of our three-point guide to feeling less lonely.
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