Happiness certainly does not come from being in a couple, but we must admit that Valentine’s Day can be a rather unpleasant occasion for single people. A commercial event more than a real celebration, this date causes many, who, like it or not, find themselves having to deal with their single status, to break out in hives. Being alone on Valentine's Day may leave you feeling like the only person without a partner, or like you’re missing something because you are not in a relationship on this particular day.
Honestly, it may be hard to see what else life has to offer when you're bombarded with romantic comedies on TV, chocolate boxes, flowers and heart-shaped trinkets in the stores, and never-ending advertisements about how wonderful it is to have a partner. So what should you do if you are single? Well, since love is in the air, why not try to dedicate some of this love to yourself?
In fact, Valentine's Day is not necessarily love cards, gifts, chocolates, flowers or romantic dinners. It is the festival of love. So, if love is celebrated on Valentine's Day, why not take the opportunity to celebrate love towards yourself? In order to love another human being, a person must have something to give: that is, the love that she gives to herself, in the sense of acceptance of her personality, conscience and of her physical body. Stop demonising being single, because true love comes from accepting who we are, here and now. And there is no better time to celebrate. Here are 5 ways to practice self-love if you are single this Valentine's Day.
1. Do what YOU love
Today is about you and only you. Spend some quality time with yourself and do something special, just for you. It's one of the most powerful (and fun) things you can do when it comes to practicing self-love. By doing something special for yourself - something you would normally only do with someone else - you are giving yourself the love and attention that you would normally only give to others.
2. Practice gratitude
According to numerous studies, practicing gratitude is one of the most important ways for us to be happy, and it provides us with so many wonderful psychological, physical, and interpersonal benefits. In fact, the benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems. Isn’t that the ultimate expression of self-love?
3. The importance of self-care
When you take care of your needs, it does more than make you feel better. Whether it is starting a beauty routine, moving your body, or go out for a walk in the nature, doing something for yourself will boost your mood and improve your wellness. Suzy Reading, psychologist and author of Self-Care for Tough Times, says: “We create change in tiny micro-moments, little rituals that we can build into our day. Instead of viewing self-care as another activity on your to-do list, look for ways to weave it into the things you’re doing already. Tune in to your senses - really savor a few sips of your coffee, enjoying the aroma, giving yourself permission to do that with your full attention, without trying to answer emails at the same time”.
4. Realise what’s toxic in your life and let it go
From cigarettes to people, say goodbye to what is not good for you. Why? Because to live in a state of well-being and constant growth, we should learn to let go of the things that do not improve the quality of our life. Especially when it comes to toxic people. We all come to a moment in life when we realize that it’s time to cut ties with someone that we once loved. A toxic person can create distress to the degree you feel inadequate and isolated, to the point it is harmful to you. When you are in a toxic relationship, you feel less than. You feel as though you are not worth anyone’s time or effort. You fell unheard and unsafe. Letting go of toxic people is hard, but necessary for your own good.
5. Spend time with your (single) friends
Is there a better day to spend some quality time with your beloved (single) friends than Valentine’s Day? I don’t think so. In 2011, the United Nations designated July 30th as the International Day of Friendship, recognising in its resolution “the relevance and importance of friendship as a noble and valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings around the world…”. Adult friendship is too often underestimated, and this is why we should pause to reflect how important and basic it is for our lives to have friends and spend time with them. Friends know us better than we know ourselves, because they see us from the outside and the inside, they know qualities and flaws, they know what we feel and what we fear. So spend this Valentine’s day with the people you love and cherish your friendship.
Written by Miriam Tagini
