In spite of your increasingly amazing online dating game, you’re finding yourself without an S.O. this Valentine’s Day. When the outside world feels exclusively populated by couples, we understand the temptation to spend February 14 hiding at home alone with a blood orange cocktail and a face mask, waiting for the romantic festivities to be over for another 364 days. If you choose to go that route, we hope you’re actually enjoying it and not just feeling down on yourself. But if being without a Valentine is bumming you out, we’re here to remind you that there are still plenty of reasons to celebrate the season — as a strong, independent lady! Read on for six Valentine’s Day highlights you can enjoy even when you’re flying solo.
1. You can go all out with Galentine’s Day celebrations.Leslie Knope(AKA Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation) really got to the heart of Valentine’s Day when she coined the phrase “Galentine’s Day.” Thanks to her, we all have a reason to love a little harder on our lady friends each February, regardless of our relationship status. While partnered-ups pals may dabble in Galentine’s festivities, only the single ladies among us can truly devote ourselves to celebrating our BFFs with gals-only parties and brunches.
2. It’s the perfect excuse for crafting and creativity. Just because we’ve outgrown the elementary school tradition of passing out cards to all of our classmates, it doesn’t mean we have to give up making platonic valentines! Your family and friends would be psyched to receive a homemade card expressing how much you care about them. A little crafting may be just what you need to stop stressing over being single, so if you’ve been itching to get creative, there’s no better time to grab your supplies and start some DIY projects.
3. Four words: Valentine’s Day candy sales. Who said that you need a Valentine in order to benefit from February candy aisle clearances? As far as we know, there is no such rule. If you have a sweet tooth, now is a great time to stock up on your favorite treats at a great price. You don’t need an S.O. to buy you chocolates — plus, when you buy them yourself, you’ll be sure to end up with something you actually like. (And you won’t have to share.)
4. The V-Day season is a great time for self love too. Even if you’re lacking a romantic partner right now, you can still take this time of year as an opportunity to show yourself a little extra affection. Treat yourself to a spa day, afternoon movie or new pair of shoes. Give yourself permission to spend the day doing only what makes you happy — even if that only takes you as far as your bed and a good binge of the latest Netflix additions or even some seasonally apropos romantic movies. Be kind to yourself — you deserve it.
5. It’s a great time to break out flirty (and thematic) fashion. February can feel a little dreary, and Valentine’s Day is a fun excuse for all of us to shake off the winter blues with some fun pops of color. Whether you’re going out to dinner with the girls on February 14 or simply looking for something cool to wear to the office, consider pulling out your favorite red or pink (or not red and pink) piece from the back of the closet and pairing it with some weather-appropriate layers. A little whimsy and accessorizing may boost your mood and shift your less-than-positive feelings about Valentine’s Day.
6. It feels good to celebrate love. The world can feel pretty stressful sometimes (we’re feeling particularly burned out over the last few months of political disagreements). While it may not be ideal to spend this holiday without romantic love, there’s probably still a lot of other kinds of love in your life — from big loves like friends and family to little ones like a kind gesture to a new neighbor or a thoughtful favor from a coworker. It can be good for your soul to simply soak in the sentimental vibes this Valentine’s Day — after all, who couldn’t use a little extra love?
Tweet us your favorite benefits of being single on Valentine’s Day @BritandCo!
(Photos via Getty)
