by Krista Bennett DeMaio
Celebrate YOU this Valentine’s Day
A lot of people have a love/hate relationship with Valentine’s Day. Typically, when they’re romantically in love with someone, they love it and if they’re not they hate it. Well, don’t make Valentine’s Day about the love you get from someone else. Make it about the love you have for yourself. You’re a rock star and don’t need validation from another person. So if you’re not in that big relationship, don’t fret and sit this one out. Spend it celebrating YOU. “Redefine the holiday in a way that is uniquely meaningful to you,” says Stephanie Batts, licensed professional clinical counselor at Bridge Counseling and Wellness in Louisville, Kentucky. And here, 7 ways to turn V-day into a ME-day.
1. Buy your own flowers
Chances are your ex- or next won’t remember your absolute favorite flowers (and that’s a letdown). Love the look of peonies? Well, go get yourself some. Hit the corner market or duck into Trader Joe’s on your way home from work and grab a bouquet. Studies have shown that the gift of fresh flowers can boost your mood, so why not make it a gift that you give to yourself?
2. Write yourself a love letter
Rose are red, violets are blue…Go ahead, pen a silly love letter to you! Just make sure it’s full of all the things that make you awesome and what you’re thankful for about yourself. “This can feel a bit awkward, but remember, no one else will see it, just you,” says Mark Mayfield, PhD, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Mayfield Counseling Centers in Colorado Springs. So, have some fun with it.
3. Treat yourself to a first
Take yourself out on the town to do something you’ve never done before. You don’t need anyone’s permission to finally go see a ballet, take a cooking class, dye your hair champagne pink. Or take a hike the see the world and yourself in a different light. There’s no right or wrong way to do it: Do whatever makes you happy, says Dr. Mayfield. And it’s even better if it’s a totally new experience and memory you’re making for yourself.
4. Book a spa appointment
Hell YES, you totally deserve a day, or at least an hour, of pampering! ME time is so important. Carve out time for a massage, facial or a mani-pedi. Can’t get to the spa? Even giving yourself a 10 minute at-home face mask is enough to ‘thank you’ for being the amazing, magical woman you are!
5. Go splurging
You know that bag you’ve been eyeing that’s on sale right now? It would make a great Valentine’s Day gift—to yourself. Book a dream trip to a destination you never thought you’d have the time (or money) to get too. Or better yet, pay yourself a bonus – meaning take a chunk of your money and sock it away in your savings or retirement fund. Pay yourself, because you work hard all the damn time. There’s something so empowering about splurging on something you want, not need, for yourself.
6. Netflix and chill
And we literally mean chill—in your coziest sweats. It’s more than okay to not want to go out on Valentine’s Day. Queue up all those guilty pleasure rom-coms that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, and watch them all without any of the guilt. This is ‘celebrate me-time’ – and you can define that any way you want.
7. Make it a Galentine’s Day
Making a night of it doesn’t have to mean being alone. You might feel your best self when you’re surrounded by your best friends, unapologetically laughing until someone snorts. So, grab your BFFs and head to the hottest spot in town for a ladies’ night out. Or, make it a girls’ night in—drink Prosecco in your PJs. The official date of Galentine’s day (yes, there is such a thing) is February 13th, but no one’s going to stop you from throwing your sisterhood soiree on Valentine’s Day.
The Raw Truth
You don’t need a plus one to enjoy Valentine’s Day. Use the day to celebrate the most important love in your life: YOU.
Have any other tips on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Please share in the comments below. We’ll love you for it! ; )
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