by Anastasia Fermin, Sunshima blog writer
Valentine’s Day has long been associated with love, romance, and companionship. On February 14th every year, couples buy each other gifts, go out to dinner, or simply express their love in a more vibrant way. But not everyone has a partner to spend Valentine’s Day with. Whether you are single by choice, widowed or just can’t seem to find ‘the one’ it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the traditional activities commonly observed on Valentine’s Day on your own.
Treat yourself
You can treat yourself to the same tokens of appreciation you would treat a partner to. For instance, you are more than capable of buying yourself chocolates or cooking a nice dinner at home to enjoy on your own. Treating yourself is an excellent form of self-love so why not celebrate?
Take advantage of sales
You can take advantage of Valentine’s Day discounts and promotions that many shops offer. Many online stores offer discounts on clothing, wine, chocolates, and other gift items specially selected for Valentine’s. You can buy gifts for yourself or stock up on items for other events.
Call a friend
With the ongoing lockdowns and restrictions, many people are housebound. If you have friends or family who live alone, you can video chat or call them so that you can keep each other company. If you are experiencing depression and Valentine’s Day triggers negative feelings, it’s wise to talk to someone close and vent your feelings.
Do something nice for someone
Brightening someone else’s day can bring you feelings of joy and contentment, knowing you’ve made someone smile. With the constant worry and uncertainty faced by many of us daily, why not cheer someone up? Send flowers to your Mum, phone an elderly neighbor to check that they are alright or donate to a worthy cause. You never know what someone else might be going through and a simple act of kindness to another can go a long way, both for them and for you.
Don’t be upset by social media
Your social media feed may be flooded with pictures and posts of happy couples on dates. If you are feeling lonely or experiencing heartbreak, don’t be bothered by elaborate posts. Social media is not always as it seems and you should not compare your “inner life” to the “outer appearance” of others on social media.
Ignore Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is highly commercialized. You don’t need to celebrate love on one particular day of the year. If you prefer to, just treat the day as any regular day, burn off any frustrations with a good workout, and do things that you normally do. We should all appreciate our loved ones every day of the year.
Be Kind to Yourself
Being alone on Valentine’s Day may cause feelings of sadness or grief. It’s important to be mindful of your emotions and how the day may trigger negative feelings or feelings of loneliness. One way to combat these emotions on Valentine’s or any other day you feel lonely, is to simply be kind to yourself. Keep up a routine of self-care and love yourself so that no matter the holiday, you have the confidence and security in yourself to face it alone!