Okay let's be real here, Valentine's Day is a crappy hallmark holiday that no human could possibly enjoy unless in a relationship.
However, this bothered me. This preconception that the only way you could celebrate is if you had a partner to celebrate with. As the day before approached, I had mixed emotions. Part of me sad. I have no romantic partner at the time being and thought my day would consist of tears and chocolate. It was later in the day that I decided my plan for Valentine's Day not only sucked but was going to make me feel like crap and I was not up for that.
Recently, my confidence has been at an all-time low. I am not sure the cause of this but ultimately know it's not permanent. I have been striving for positivity and happy thoughts regarding myself no matter the circumstances. So, of course, the days leading up to this relationship heavy day I was getting very upset. However, after I decided my day was not going to consist of chocolate and tears, I found that glimmer of hope I have been looking for, for the past few weeks.
I decided I was going to make the day about self-love versus relational love. I took a moment and thought you know what Isabelle, you do not need a relationship to be happy and you're awesome so #loveyoself because it's a day about love.
So on the eve of Valentine's Day, I prepped for my self love day along with eating chocolate chip cookies and feeling no shame.
When I woke up on valentines day, I immediately felt good. Maybe it was because my parents got me a Victoria Secret gift card or just because I knew it was going to be a good day. The gift card was given with the intent of buying myself something I wanted because I deserved it. That just made me smile and I was very thankful for that.
So, I got dressed for my day and proceeded with it. Throughout the day, I kept reminding myself that I loved me and that my happiness was self created and I needed to start creating it more often for myself.
Once my classes ended for the day, my self love day really kicked into full gear. My friends and I went to the grocery store to pick up pizza ingredients for homemade pizza. We also picked up a few bottles of wine. Obviously.
On the night of Valentine's Day, I had a homemade pizza and wine night with my best friends and I have never been happier. We laughed and had fun and did not care that we were all single. We were thrilled to be spending the day of love together because we all love each other. And on top of that, we were preaching self love.
This day is about love right? No one said what kind? So I said self.
I spent my whole valentines day reminding myself that I am indeed enough and that my self love is more important than anyone else's.
I cannot wait for next year.
Sheetal Tadiparty
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