Valentine’s Day isfor many singlesa holiday to dread instead of one to celebrate. I experienced my own loneliness on more than one Valentine’s Day. Thenseveral years agoI had a revelation. I could be my own Valentine!
I knowbeing your own Valentine might sound like a desperate attempt to soothe the sting of single life. I thought sotoo—until I actually experienced it. The first year of becoming my own ValentineI organized a dinner at a nice restaurant for a group of single men and women. On the invitation I wrote a request: “buyhave gift-wrappedand bring to dinner a gift for yourself in recognition of the magnificent person you are.”
It was one of my favorite Valentine’s Day celebrations! We took turns opening our gifts and sharing what we admired about ourselves. Some people were moved to tearsas they realized how hard they usually were on themselves.
Since then I’ve celebrated myself every Valentine’s Day—regardless of my relationship status. I do something special like get a massagetake a day tripor buy a bottle of my favorite champagne. Last year I ordered and had delivered a dozenlong-stemmed roses in a boxwith a card to myself that said“I admire the fabulous woman you are.” For the next couple of weeks I felt infused with love each time I looked at the beautiful roses on my table and the card hung on my refrigerator.
Below are more ways to “become your own Valentine”—all of which will build your self-esteem and a loving relationship with yourself.
Plan a “Self-Celebration” Valentine’s Day pot-luck party. Ask each guest to bring their own favorite food dish and a wrapped gift to give to themselves.
Order in a delicious mealput on your pajamasand hunker down with a great book or movie. Some of my favorite Valentine’s Day movies are Trading PlacesMermaidsand The Associate.
Treat a friendfamily memberor co-worker to an evening out. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to return a kindness or to reconnect with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
Organize a girls’ or guys’ night out that includes something entertaining like karaokeplaying poolshooting dartsseeing a playor listening to live music.
Spend the day volunteering. Helping others is gratifying and makes you feel good about yourself. To find opportunities in your cityvisit the Single Volunteers Web site.
Attend a social event. If you don’t know of any in your areado a Google search with the words“Singles events Valentine’s Day <your city>.” Then click on the links to find an event that sounds appealing.
Ask yourself what you would likethen commit to giving it to yourself. And rememberyou always have a choice. You can either spend Valentine’s Day feeling bador you can do something that upliftsnurturesor delights you.
I knowbeing your own Valentine might sound like a desperate attempt to soothe the sting of single life. I thought sotoo—until I actually experienced it. The first year of becoming my own ValentineI organized a dinner at a nice restaurant for a group of single men and women. On the invitation I wrote a request: “buyhave gift-wrappedand bring to dinner a gift for yourself in recognition of the magnificent person you are.”
It was one of my favorite Valentine’s Day celebrations! We took turns opening our gifts and sharing what we admired about ourselves. Some people were moved to tearsas they realized how hard they usually were on themselves.
Since then I’ve celebrated myself every Valentine’s Day—regardless of my relationship status. I do something special like get a massagetake a day tripor buy a bottle of my favorite champagne. Last year I ordered and had delivered a dozenlong-stemmed roses in a boxwith a card to myself that said“I admire the fabulous woman you are.” For the next couple of weeks I felt infused with love each time I looked at the beautiful roses on my table and the card hung on my refrigerator.
Ask yourself what you would likethen commit to giving it to yourself. And rememberyou always have a choice. You can either spend Valentine’s Day feeling bador you can do something that upliftsnurturesor delights you.