Valentine’s Day is such a lovely and sweet holiday, yet it understandably has quite a bad reputation. As a matter of fact, I used to have an intense dislike for the holiday myself. After all, it can feel quite lonely and isolating to be single on a holiday that puts such an intense focus on romantic relationships. Heck, Valentine’s Day can also put unnecessary pressure on couples to give each other the perfect gift or plan the perfect date. But honestly, despite all of that, there is still so much to love about Valentine’s Day. Regardless of your relationship status. Especially once you remove the societal pressures from the holiday, and explore its deeper meaning.
Or when you let it be fun, instead of putting too much pressure on that one day in February. As well as when you take a moment to realize that Valentine’s Day is about love. And celebrating love doesn’t have to be restricted to just romantic love. Heck, Valentine’s Day shouldn’t just be about romantic love, regardless of your relationship status. Nor should it be about setting up the perfect date or giving the perfect gift to your partner. Valentine’s Day can, and should, be a fun holiday that allows us to celebrate and honor the meaning of all types of love. While also being a holiday for healing, compassion, and sweet vibes.
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Valentine’s Day Celebrates and Honors Love — Of All Types
Certainly, romantic love deserves to be celebrated. But it also goes without saying that romantic love is not the only type of love that exists. Nor is it the only type of love that should be honored and celebrated on a holiday about love. Valentine’s Day is also a holiday to celebrate the love that we share with our friends and family as well. Seriously, whether you’re in a relationship or not, it’s always lovely to celebrate Galentine’s Day with your closest friends. Or to honor and celebrate the love that you have for your children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family that you’re close with. Even your love for your pets is something to be celebrated on Valentine’s Day.
That said, we also should not neglect the love that we have for ourselves on Valentine’s Day. Even if we are still building our confidence and learning to love ourselves unconditionally. Honestly, nurturing the love that we have for ourselves may be the most important relationship to nurture on Valentine’s Day. Or any day for the matter. After all, Valentine’s Day is not the only day we should be celebrating all of the loving relationships we have in our lives. Whether with ourselves or with others. Valentine’s Day just serves as a day to go the extra mile to honor our love for others and for ourselves.
But seriously, my lovely. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself like a queen for Valentine’s Day, whether you have a partner or not. Celebrate Galentine’s Day with your best friends, and show them how important they are to you. Send your mom or grandma a Valentine’s Day card. Get your child that Valentine’s Day plushie. Let Valentine’s Day be a day to honor all of your loved ones. While you also honor self-love.
Valentine’s Day Encourages Connection and Compassion
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to pour a little extra compassion into those we love and take a moment to truly connect with them. Or perhaps, to give ourselves a little extra compassion and connect more with ourselves. And while Valentine’s Day isn’t the only day that we should be compassionate with our loved ones and with ourselves, it’s certainly a wonderful opportunity to take it to the next level. Or perhaps to be a little more mindful about reaching out and connecting in ways we might not on the day to day. Quite honestly, Valentine’s Day makes for the perfect opportunity to plan something with those you care about, even if it’s small.
Seriously, invite all of your best friends to join you for coffee this Valentine’s Day. Call or text your parents, siblings, or grandparents and have an extra-long conversation with them on February 14th. Put together those thoughtful self-care gifts for your closest friends to encourage them to pamper themselves and show themselves a little extra love. And don’t forget to give yourself a lovely little treat on Valentine’s Day as well. Buy yourself those chocolates and fresh flowers, and enjoy a movie night with your favorite snacks. Allow yourself to have some personal time to give yourself a little extra love and compassion.
Let Valentine’s Day serve as an opportunity to go the extra mile just because it’s Valentine’s Day. Whether it be for your partner, your best friends, your family, or even for yourself. Or for any combination of the above.
Valentine’s Day Is Essentially About Kindness and Showing Loving Gratitude
Grand gestures and gifts aside, Valentine’s Day is essentially about intentional acts of kindness and showing gratitude to our loved ones. After all, when we prepare Galentine’s Day parties with our friends, send our loved ones a Valentine’s Day card, or buy our favorite person a Valentine’s Day gift, we’re often doing so to show them our gratitude for being a part of our lives. Heck, even when we prepare little goodie bags for our coworkers or fond acquaintances, we’re doing so from a place of fondness and gratitude. Just to show those we encounter in our lives a little extra kindness.
Certainly, we all know the world could use a little extra kindness and positivity. And Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to spread love and gratitude to everyone in your life. While going slightly above and beyond to do so, in a world that undoubtedly needs more love and gratitude. Certainly, you don’t need to show the same level of love and gratitude towards that coworker you cross paths with during shift change as you would your best friend. But it’s still absolutely wonderful to have an excuse to make someone’s day with a simple card, or some sweet treats they can enjoy to have a moment of self-care.
Let Valentine’s Day also be the day you show a little extra kindness to yourself as well, my lovely. Valentine’s Day is the perfect reason to enjoy an indulgent sweet treat. Or to take an evening to yourself for a spa and movie night. Because honestly? You know that you deserve it. Holiday or not.
Valentine’s Day Can Actually Be A Productive Venting and Healing Opportunity
Let’s be honest, Valentine’s Day can be a rough holiday when you struggle romantically. Or when you’ve recently gotten out of a relationship, even when you’re the one who ended it. Valentine’s Day can certainly sting when you’re single, or even when you’re in a relationship that isn’t working out. And you know what? You don’t need to force positivity on Valentine’s Day. As a matter of fact, you can even use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to vent and let your emotions out. While also amplifying your self-love and giving yourself the love and affection that your ex simply couldn’t. Sometimes, there’s no greater act of self-love than letting all of your emotions out in a healthy way.
Seriously, put on that breakup playlist on Valentine’s Day. Let your raw emotions spill out into your journal. Buy yourself some flowers, chocolates, and get yourself the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift. Take yourself out for dinner at that nice restaurant. Say kind and loving affirmations to yourself in the mirror. Invite your friends who may also be going through it romantically to join you for an anti-Valentine’s Day celebration with your Galentines. Rant and vent with those people in your life who just get it. While also being specific about what you won’t accept. Heck, make a vow to stay single until you get exactly what you’re looking to manifest in a partner.
Honestly, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful day to find empowerment in being single. Especially when you choose to give yourself everything your ex never would. And when, despite the loneliness, you’re much happier on your own. You’re free to own your own narrative about romance and give yourself what you deserve.
The Aesthetic and Vibes
While I will say that this is entirely a matter of personal taste, I must say that Valentine’s Day is the most aesthetically pleasing holiday. Along with Halloween. But as a girly who loves the color pink, florals, and just about everything feminine, Valentine’s Day is perfectly aligned with my aesthetic. Honestly, I love to browse the Valentine’s Day holiday section at the store to pick up items that will become part of my everyday decor. Similarly to how I browse the Halloween decor to pick up some permanent gothic pieces as well. Pinks, florals, and pretty things are abundant in January and February.
That said, while I know that the pink and floral aesthetic isn’t for everyone, it’s certainly something to appreciate if it is your vibe. And honestly? Even if you’re not into the holiday itself, the decor doesn’t necessarily only have to be for Valentine’s Day. Pink heart pillows are perfect for year-round decor. Just like skulls work year-round, even if you primarily display them as Halloween decor. Red and pink roses also look so elegant and lovely year-round. Even those heart-shaped string lights add a little extra character to your space. Plus, February is the perfect month to go all in on the sweet, pink, and feminine vibes.
The Chocolates and Sweet Treats of Valentine’s Day
As someone who strongly believes that occasional indulgences are part of a healthy lifestyle, I look forward to Valentine’s Day for the sweet treats. I get excited for those boxes of decadent assorted chocolates. While also looking forward to those strawberry and raspberry truffles and fine chocolates that become widely available in February. I honestly can’t resist those Lindt Lindor Strawberries and Cream Truffles [affiliate link]. Or those Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Chocolate Squares from Ghirardelli [affiliate link]. But honestly, all Valentine’s Day chocolates seem extra decadent and perfect for a delightful treat after a long day.
We also can’t forget about those delightful chocolate-covered strawberries, which are absolutely iconic for Valentine’s Day. Or even those heart-shaped baked goods. Especially those with strawberry and chocolatey flavors. Regardless of your relationship status, sweets quite literally add a little bit of extra sweetness to Valentine’s Day. And honestly? Valentine’s Day makes for the perfect occasion to treat yourself to something sweet and decadent. Just as a sweet little way to practice self-love for Valentine’s Day, and to indulge in a moment of pure joy.
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day is a lovely holiday, and you certainly do not have to be in a relationship to enjoy it. There is so much beauty in this sweet holiday of love. Especially when you remember that love is not exclusive to romantic love, and all forms of love deserve to be celebrated on Valentine’s Day. Nor does expressing your love for those you care about necessarily have to be a grand gesture. Because honestly, at its core, Valentine’s Day is just about showing those we love our gratitude for them, and taking. amoment to show a little extra kindness and compassion for those around us. While enjoying the lovely vibes of this sweet day in February.
What are some of your favorite things about Valentine’s Day? How are you planning to celebrate your love for those you care about the most this year? How are you planning to show yourself a little extra love this Valentine’s Day? Do you enjoy the vibes and overall aesthetic of this holiday? Are you still rolling your eyes and intending to skip Valentine’s Day this year? I’d love to know!
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