5 Self-Care Tips to Be Your Own Valentine

For many people, the arrival of Valentine’s Day means an abundance of romance, chocolates, and candy hearts with flirtatious phrases. But for others, February 14th can feel like just another day in the gloom of winter. Valentine’s Day can be a nice opportunity to show someone special you care about them, but it can also be a day to inspire self-care, as well! Continue reading for five self-care tips to be your own Valentine this year!
 

Find Comfort in Your Favorites

Returning to the comforts of your favorite movies, TV shows, books, and music can be a great plan when spending Valentine’s Day alone. While there’s always plenty of new options trending in entertainment, there’s something to be said for rewatching, relistening, or rereading the things that resonate with you most. Find solace in your favorite book, dance around your home to your favorite album, or enjoy the company of your favorite characters by throwing something familiar on your TV. When returning to your favorites you may find yourself forming new memories around them, noticing things you hadn’t noticed before, or remembering some of the things you had forgotten. Practice self-care by acquainting yourself with your favorites and the other unique things that make you, you.

Plan a Trip

If you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone, it can be the perfect opportunity to plan a road trip or vacation for the spring or summer! Instead of dwelling on any glum thoughts, look ahead to your future and plan out an adventure of your choosing. If you could go anywhere in the world and do anything you want, what would you do? Let your imagination run wild and think of all the possibilities that excite you. Plan out where you’d like to go, where you’d like to stay, what foods you’d like to try, and activities you’d like to do. It can be very therapeutic and exciting to take the time to map out a trip like this. Even if you never end up going, you may learn something about your dream destination that you hadn’t known before.

Go For a Walk

While you may be inclined to seek refuge on your couch if you’re alone on Valentine’s Day, going outdoors for a walk is a fantastic self-care tip that only requires a little bit of motivation to get up and get to it. Exercise and fresh air can pay immediate dividends to your mental health, and can be a productive, fun way to spend your Valentine’s Day. Listen to a podcast or simply enjoy the sounds of nature as you explore your neighborhood. Try to look for signs of spring or any detours that might catch your eye. Maybe you will end up admiring the rushing ice in the rapids of a nearby river. Maybe you will end up stopping somewhere for an impromptu cup of coffee. Leave yourself open to these possibilities and try to make the most of the opportunities around you.

Make Dinner Special

Whether you prefer to cook it yourself or order it at a restaurant, put only your best-loved foods on the menu for your Valentine’s Day dinner. If you’re feeling experimental, try your hand at making something special that you have never made before. It can be a fun, rewarding challenge to make one of your favorites from scratch. If you don’t feel like going through all the effort or you aren’t confident in your culinary capabilities, you can always order takeout or eat-in at your restaurant of choice. It’s true after all: the best way to your own heart is also through your stomach!

Reach Out to a Loved One

It’s important to remember that there are many different kinds of love we can celebrate on this holiday. Valentine’s Day is also an opportunity to let your family and friends know how much they mean to you. If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day without a special someone, remind yourself of all the other kinds of love that exist in your life by phoning a family member or friend. Ask your loved ones about their day, share some updates about your life, and try to make plans to meet up with them sometime soon. Reaching out to a loved one can remind you of the important relationships that you do have, and it may even make their day.
 
Are you ready to look past winter and to brighter, longer days to come? Check out our spring maintenance kit to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when things brighten up!