Single on Valentine’s Day? What a GIFT! I mean it. The pressures of Valentine’s Day can be crushing for couples. It’s an every-year reminder of what your relationship is like. Whether you’re ready or not, you must face how your relationship sits on Valentine’s Day.

It can bring up tough conversations you may not be ready to have, the anxiety of if your partner will want to celebrate or what they’re going to give you, or even feeling forced to spend the day with your partner or think about them even if you’re not in the best of spaces together. 

But being single on Valentine’s Day? The possibilities are endless! Instead of the stereotypical trying to find someone to spend the day with or sitting around feeling lonely, sad or angry at your ex or the entire species of men in general, it’s time to re-frame your thinking around Valentine’s Day!

Spending Valentine’s Day single opens up a WORLD of self-love that many of us aren’t wired to think!

So instead of delving into the negative, here are 5 things you can do to appreciate and enjoy being single on Valentine’s Day.

Galentine’s Day

Shall I say more? If you find yourself dipping into the lonely and sad category of single on Valentine’s Day, organize a Galentine’s Day with your girls! Here are some fun ideas to spend Valentine’s Day with your girlfriends:

• Get dressed up and go out to a fancy dinner

• See a show, performance, comedy show or other outing with your girlfriends

• Organize a party at your house - must include chocolate, great snacks, entertainment like movies or games and rosé if you wish

• Secret Santa in February! If there’s a big group, have everyone anonymously choose a friend to get a gift for. Keep the requirements low budget so everyone can feel loved equally! 

And if some of your girlfriends are spending Valentine's Day with a partner, organize the day for the week before or after. It’s never too early or too late to celebrate your friends!

Self-Care Day

My personal favorite of the options. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day single than treating yourself? Schedule a massage, pedicure or manicure, facial, get your hair done, maybe some cosmetic enhancements you’ve been wanting to get, read a great book you’ve been wanting to dive into, the options are endless!

If you’re on a budget, your self care day could look like grabbing a bottle of wine at the grocery and coming home, putting on a face mask, watching your favorite feel-good movie and cuddling up with your pup. The goal is to treat yourself however you feel best and what ever isn’t in your normal routine. Make it fresh!

Buy Yourself a gift

For us who can’t stop listening to Miley Cyrus’s new song “Flowers”. You truly do not need anyone to buy flowers for you. Buying yourself flowers is truly a joy! 

Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who just does not know what a great bouquet of flowers looks like? Trust me I’ve been there… buying yourself flowers not only guarantees you’ll get what you want, but is also a fun experience. Head to a farmers market or your local flower boutique, take your time and pick out the best arrangement for your place. 

Flowers are scientifically proven to boost your mood, so looking at that beautiful bouquet of flowers for the next week will be an instant mood booster and a reminder that you are the most important person in your life and you deserve self-love.

Food, food and more food

Still working on those new years resolutions of eating healthier? Ditch them!

Just kidding - if your goal is to eat healthier, still do so. But Valentine’s Day is the one day you can justify treating yo self like Donna and Tom! (Any parks and rec fans out there?)

Just like your self-care day, think outside of the box. Don’t buy your go-to cookies or ice cream, find something new and fresh to try out to make the experience special and not like an every day Tuesday. Go ahead; DoorDash, UberEats or GrubHub from a new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. The idea is something out of the ordinary so you truly can’t go wrong with whatever you pick.

Call your family!

Valentine’s Day isn’t just a day for partners; it’s a day to celebrate ALL the people you live in your life. Take this as an opportunity to catch up with your family and friends to show them how much you love and appreciate their presence in your life. 

Send them cute cards, buy them small gifts, if you’re in the same city, organize a cute outing or even just ask them to get coffee or breakfast with you. Connecting with your chosen family is a surefire way to lift your spirits and show those closest to you in your life how much you care.

A reminder for all my Excluded girls!

Remember, Valentine’s Day to many is just a commercial holiday, but there’s nothing stopping you from embracing the day to your personal advantage. Love is beautiful and isn’t just reserved for romantic relationships. Loving your friends, family and most importantly, yourself is the most important part of the human experience.

So embrace the happy, the hurt, the whole rollercoaster of emotions and know that whatever emotions you have on the day makes you human, and we all experience them at some point in our lives. You are not alone, you are beautiful no matter what and you deserve the happiest of days. Valentine’s Day is what you make of it, so let’s make it the best!