Valentine’s day is just around the corner. For many people that means celebrating with their spouse or partner and showing them extra love and attention. But for others, Valentine’s Day is a sad reminder that they are single, in an unhappy relationship, or perhaps grieving the recent loss of their significant other.
If you are celebrating it alone this year, here are a few ways you can alleviate your sadness this Valentine’s Day.
Give Yourself a Break
It’s bad enough to feel lonely, but it’s even worse to scold yourself for doing so. Loneliness is not an indication that you’re doing anything wrong or that there is something wrong and unlovable about you.
Even people that are in relationships can feel incredibly lonely. Loneliness affects everyone at some point in their life. It’s not a sin to feel this way, so stop scolding yourself.
Take Time to Care for Yourself
How many times during the year do you make a real effort to show yourself love? Hold on. I’m not talking about narcissistic, self-love. I’m not talking about indulgence.
If you’re like most people, you don’t really think much about how you treat yourself, i.e., care for yourself. Sometimes I challenge clients to think about how they care for themselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Many haven’t put much thought into doing so before they are asked the question.
This Valentine’s Day, if you find yourself a party of one, try and make the best of it by focusing on loving, self-care. Take a nice long bath. Go to an exercise class. Listen to your favorite music. Read a book. Use positive self-talk and be kind and gentle to yourself as you would be with a friend. Use this Valentine’s Day to commit to showing yourself more love through healthy, self-care throughout the year.
Show Your Love for Others
Valentine’s Day is a holiday to show love. No one says that love must be shown in a romantic way.
This is a great time to show your affection and appreciation for the wonderful people in your life. Get your best friend a box of chocolates or your mom a bouquet of flowers. Put a card on your neighbor’s windshield and your coworker’s computer monitor.
You can be filled with love by being loved, and you can be filled with love by loving others. The more love YOU show this holiday, the more love you will feel inside. And you would be amazed at how the loneliness quickly slips away when you are full of love.
Don’t let the commercialism of the holiday make you feel alone and isolated. You really can have a lovely Valentine’s day if you love yourself and others.
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