It can feel like a lot this time of year. The weather makes the time of year drag, making it feel all-encompassing. When the sun doesn't shine, it feels like you're stuck - I know it does for me anyway. It can be easy for us to be hard on ourselves. Maybe your New Years' resolutions didn't pan out the way you anticipated or you can't find the motivation to do things you usually love.
Take all these feelings and then add the invisible pressure of Valentine's Day. Whether you're newly seeing someone, celebrating your first Valentine's Day with a significant other, it's your fifteenth Valentine's Day with your special someone or you're single this Valentine's Day - there can be different kinds of pressure.
For me and the other single people out there - it can feel as though dating is a wasteland between now and February 14th. Apps have all but stopped, anyone you were flirting with has gone MIA and it's become even more lonely than usual.
Although we don't need a significant other to feel whole and should be happy on our own it is hard not to feel some pressure around this time of year. To me in Chicago, it seems like guys assume all girls will latch on to any sight or inkling of love in the hopes of Valentine's - and for me, that's not the case.
I have always appreciated this holiday - but I've looked at it from a standpoint of loving your life and the parts of it that make it unique. Family, friends, your job, your city, your home, your fur babies - everything around you that makes you, you. That's what we should celebrate!
If you're single like me this Valentine's Day here's how different ways you can practice self-love and celebrate!
- Order your favorite take out food
- Cook your favorite meal
- Treat yourself to a massage or a facial or a spray tan or a workout class
- Start a new show
- Buy a new work out or lounge set
- Watch one of your comfort shows or movies
- Clean your apartment and declutter your space to make way for future endeavors
- Treat yourself to a new book, piece of clothing, or home decor item you've been putting off
- Go to your favorite grocery store
- Buy the materials for an at-home DIY
- Send cards to your mom, grandma, and any other family members
- Call anyone in your life you've been putting off
- Make your favorite smoothie
- Journal about your feelings
- Go through and declutter your junk drawer (I know you have one)
- Shop Valentine's Day sales
- Go on a long walk
- Have a photoshoot with yourself
- Paint your nails
- Get a blowout or haircut
- Do your hair in a new way
- Make plans to get together with your friends the next weekend
- Buy a new candle
- Try a new tea
- Treat yourself to an overpriced latte
- Get pumped for the half-off candy sales tomorrow
