There are so many relationships you make throughout your life. Significant others will come and go. Friends may move or you may grow apart. You have relationships on some level with your family, coworkers, classmates, and others you see on a regular basis. However the most important relationship you can have is the one with yourself. At the end of the day - single or taken - you are the only one you have.
Now, if you're single - or don't buy into the whole commercial holiday thing - you may let out a 5 minute long groan any time mentions the words "Valentine's Day". If you feel left out because some of your taken friends are discussing their expensive and over exaggerated romantic plans, don't. Take this time to work on your relationship with yourself.
Here are 14 ways you can show some love without a significant other this Feburary 14th:
1. Spa Day
Take the time to get your hair done. Get a manicure and pedicure. Go that extra mile and even go to a spa and get a massage or a facial. I can go on and on about how we take our bodies for granted. Now is the time for you to "thank" your body, by having someone get those knots out of your neck.
2. Galentine's Day
Gather some of your friends, pop the cork off a bottle of wine, and spend the night with your girls. Alternatively, you can do brunch or get dressed and go out for the night. As long as you're with your close friends I can't see how you could go wrong.
3. Treat Yourself
This may be a bit overused to simply convince ourselves it's okay to splurge on whatever we have our eye on. However, it still doesn't hurt to buy yourself something you have been saving for or putting off. Shopping therapy is real, people!
4. Watch Romance Movies
This may or may not be exactly what you want to be doing on a day where society shoves you aside for being single. The romance flicks can get you into the spirit of this day or it could make you cry. If you do cry, it's okay. Crying is healthy and a way for release, so I completely encourage this idea.
5. Clean out Your Closet
Now is the time to rid yourself of anything that no longer serves you -literally and metaphorically clean out your closet. If you want to take it an extra step you can model Pheobe's idea from an episode of Friends where Pheobe, Rachel, and Monica had a bonfire and burned their exes' belongings and trinkets.
6. Pick a Hobby and Do it
Find something you love to do or that you're good at and do it. If you do something you love or that you're good at, it could be a great boost of confidence.
7. Hold a Love Potluck
Invite friends over and to each bring a dish they love. This gives everyone a chance to try something new.
8. Be Your Own Valentine
Cook your favorite meal. Light some candles. Have a nice soak in the tub. Just because you're single doesn't mean you don't deserve to indulge and be romanced.
9. Fall in Love
Find something new to love - try that yoga or dance class you've been interested in trying. This could be your chance to start something new.
10. Be Cupid
Pay it Forward and send some love in someone else's direction. Perhaps just remind some friends how much they mean to you. Never hurts to send compliments. Maybe even purchase flowers and hand them out to passersby.
11. Try a "Secret Valentine"
You can call it "Secret Valentine" or "Secret Cupid". Same concept of Secret Santa except you're with all your best gal pals. Put the names in a hat and pick someone. Then, on Valentine's Day, exchange gifts and get dolled up for a night on the town (or stay in if that's more your thing).
12. Volunteer
You may be single, but you are not alone. You can help others feel loved. There are plenty of others in the world that have it worse than you do. You can help a friend who may be down in the dumps or go spend your time with a charity or a hospital. I've actually been really looking into holding babies that were born addicted to drugs. You feel so much better when you know you have helped someone else.
13. Put Yourself out There
Maybe now is the time to try an online dating site or be the one to approach someone. No matter hat it is, you can try something completely new and out of your comfort zone.
14. Go Green
Finally, you can use your time on this day to give back to your community or the earth. Depending on the weather, plant a tree or flowers or pick up trash in a nearby park. Let the earth be your valentine and don't forget to remind it how much you love it.