Valentine's Day comes around only once a year, and for people in relationships it is one of the best days of their lives. But for people who are single it's a day full of empty ice cream containers, snotty tissues, and watching any Nicholas Sparks movie we can get our hands on. However, it's so important to remember that there are more kinds of love than the love you get from a relationship. There's puppy love, friendship, the kind of unconditional love you get from your family, and of course the most important: self-love. Even if you feel like you are alone and feel like no one loves you on Valentine's Day, remember that you're not the only one that is single! Valentine's Day isn't just a day for cute couples to celebrate -- it's a day for everyone to spread love.
The first step to relieve this feeling of loneliness is to get out of your dorm room, put down that ice cream, and find someone else to spend Valentine's Day with. There is definitely someone you know that is probably bored with no plans and alone on Valentine's Day. Grab a roommate or suitemate and go on a friend date! Get dressed up, enjoy a nice meal together, and buy each other a Valentine's Day gift. Just because you don't have a valentine doesn't mean you can't have a Galentine!
The second step is to spread love by showing your friends and family how much they mean to you. If you give love to others, this love will most likely bounce back to you. You can give the people that mean the most to you a card with a long note or you can write them a long letter. If they read words about how much they are loved and how much they mean to you, the letter/card you gave them will probably be the highlight of their day. The best gifts of all truly come from the heart!
The third step is to collect as much puppy love as you possibly can. The best thing about dogs is that they will always be there to cuddle with! No matter how long you were away, they will always greet you with sloppy kisses and uncontrollable tail wags. If you don't have a dog, ask a friend who will be willing to share their dog's love with you. You could also go to a local animal shelter and receive some puppy love. Believe it or not, the dogs who don't have homes feel lonely on Valentine's Day too, and they are looking for love just as much as you are! Who knows, maybe you'll end up taking home a new friend!
The last step is to take the advice from Justin Bieber and "go and love yourself." Self-love is probably one of the most important forms of love, and sometimes you just need to have some time to yourself and treat yourself. You can binge-watch your favorite TV show on Netflix, read your favorite book, watch your favorite movie, light candles, have a spa night, or even order in take out from your favorite restaurant. Do whatever makes you happy, spoil yourself and buy yourself something you have been wanting for ages, and lastly, have a stress-free, relaxing day of you time.
Whatever you do on Valentine's Day, remember there are always people who love you, there is always a dog somewhere full of love, and if you spread love, it will eventually bounce back to you. Happy Valentine's Day!
