Tips To Get Through Valentine’s Day With More Self-Love

The journey to incorporate more self-care can be tough, especially during a holiday known for spending and splurging on a significant other.  Since I’ve written several blogposts on tips to survive Valentine’s Day (here & here), I decided to do something different and instead ask my wonderful social media friends/followers for some of their own tips to get through Valentine’s Day.  And I was pleasantly surprised to find that each one consisted of more self-love and expression of love towards family members and close friends.  The following is a list of their personal tips to make it a special day full of fun, love, and self-care:

1. Treat Yo Self

“Have an entire ‘treat yo self day.’  Think of your favorite meal and go eat it and do an activity you’ve been dying to try.” ~ @studentdoctornas

“I remind myself it’s just like any other day, but I buy myself two bouquets of flower and sometimes I take myself out to eat. But this year, it’s mid-week, so I don’t even care lol.”  ~ Anonymous

2.  Avoid Social Media

“…because you’ll probably make yourself miserable and jealous (been there done that) or take time to celebrate your love for your friends (Galentine’s Day, for example) or find solace in other single people who just want to have some company too!” ~ @abbyoooooo

3.  Celebrate Galentine’s Day

“Doing stupid things with friends! Pick something you haven’t done before (new hiking spot, new dish to make, new movie to watch) and let yourselves have sad time (if needed), then laugh at silly penis jokes like a group of 5 year olds.”  ~ @ashtstc

“…Have a get together with your gals that night – it’s super fun and you can talk about The Bachelor.  Make it a potluck!  It’s about self-care and also spreading love with your friends (doesn’t just have to be your spouse/boyfriend).” ~ @aroraborealis_

“Having a Galentine’s Day with my favorite girlfriends and enjoying each other’s friendship with good food and treats!  Always fun to show friends how much I love them and to make EVERYONE feel loved and included!”  ~ @scarvesandsweets

“Spend time with your single gal pals! Preferably going to watch a movie or having dinner. It’s not the best idea to meet up to talk about how “it’s terrible to be single.” Embrace the time you have to grow and learn more about yourself!”  ~ @chasingmomentsphotoco

4.  Celebrate What You’re Passionate About (with those who share the same passion)

“On Valentine’s Day I usually follow my regular routine (classes, studying), but this year I actually decided to meet some friends who are also practicing medicine.  And we’re going to get ready and go out because medicine is romantic to us and we love it.  There’s a bigger picture to it — Yes, it’s romantic for couples, but it’s also romantic for people who carry a greater passion for other things they love!”  ~ @neuroskeptic

5.  Volunteer Your Time To Help Others

“One of my best memories when I was single was to spend Valentine’s Day volunteering at a woman’s shelter or a nursing home to help those who may not always get the love and attention they deserve.”  ~ @phportfolio

“Do something special for a stranger! I try to donate my hair to Locks of Love or Beautiful Lengths!”  ~ @joannab2789

6.  Don’t Wait For Flowers, Just Ask For It!

“I asked my dad to bring me flowers on Valentine’s Day.”  ~ @thalia_kay

7.  Celebrate Love That Already Exists Rather Than Pining For Something More

“I’m celebrating love in my life as it exists! Not romantic love, but love for friends, love for my puppy, etc.”  ~ Anonymous

“My friends and I are getting all dressed up, eating cookies and pizza, and playing games together to celebrate our friendship and singleness. I think it’s a good way to turn Valentine’s Day into something you look forward to as a single person!”  ~ @purcella92

8.  Celebrate On A Budget

“We don’t do anything different than any other night.  One year we bought a heart-shaped pizza, but we were already getting pizza anyway. Maybe it’s because we’re poor students/paying off loans, but we just don’t spend money on it.  We buy discount chocolate afterwards!”  ~ @portcitycaitlin

9. Make It A Positive Holiday, Even After A Divorce

“The first Valentine’s Day after my divorce I decided to make it a celebration of love in general, so I invited friends, both single and couples, to go celebrate our friendship. We went out for drinks, played pool, and had dinner. It was one of the best Valentine’s Days that I can recall! Key is to be grateful for who and what you do have in your life, so don’t focus on the negativity and sadness.”  ~ @serratos114

10.  Change Your Perspective

“It’s all about perspective. Dates like Valentine’s Day can seem like deadlines to meet and when you haven’t found your soulmate by the 14th, that can be unnecessarily rough! I don’t look at Valentine’s Day as a day for just relationships.  It’s a day for all the people who you love and care for. I use the holiday to show appreciation to friends and family. That change in perspective has made a positive difference for me.”  ~ @chrisrivi

If you’d like to add your own tips for Valentine’s Day, leave a comment below!  And cheers to more self-care!