Another year, another Valentine's Day spent alone. If you're not in a relationship, this time of year seems to bring about only two emotions: sadness and bitterness. Half of us will spend the holiday thinking about how we will never find the right one and are destined to be forever alone, while the other half are hate-tweeting about how Valentine's Day is a money-making scheme created by Hallmark and chocolate companies. But this year, instead of crying into a tub of ice cream while you watch "Bridget Jones's Diary," or using angry Facebook posts as a coping mechanism, try to look at Valentine's Day with a new perspective.
Enjoying Valentine's Day when you're single is as simple as understanding the difference between love and romance. Those two words seem to be interchangeable, but they really aren't. Romance is something rare, mysterious, and exciting you experience with another person, while love can be found in almost every aspect of your life. Love is staying up with your best friends until two in the morning, having your mom make blueberry pancakes, or reading your favorite book until the cover is falling off. There's no reason not to celebrate our family, friends, and the things we love to do on Valentine's Day — it's a day dedicated to love, for crying out loud! We get lost in the idea that this holiday is supposed to be celebrating romance when in reality, it's the perfect time to recognize and appreciate all the love in your life.
For me, Valentine's Day has always been so much more than a day dedicated to romance. As someone who has spent pretty much every Valentine's Day alone, I've been able to remold this negative stigma in my mind that this is a day only meant for couples. Nowadays, I like writing letters to my family and friends reminded them how much, and more importantly, why I love them. And of course, if I'm going to be single, Valentine's Day is the absolute best time to treat yourself.
Whether that means a shopping spree at Victoria's Secret, a spa day with your girlfriends, or even watching your favorite movie alone with pizza as your only company, it's best that you do something that you'll enjoy. Loving and taking care of yourself is essential when it comes to appreciating this holiday when you don't have an S.O., and if Ariana Grande has taught me anything, it's that you don't need a boyfriend to have love and happiness in your life.
So this February, take on Valentine's Day with a different perspective. Instead of viewing it as a day dedicated to romance, think about it as a time to celebrate the love in your life. Don't be apart of that bitter and spiteful group that will try and ruin other people's happiness, and don't be so down on yourself that you forget about the already existing love and passion in your life. It may take time to fully learn and embrace self-love, but I promise Valentine's Day will become one of your favorite holidays when you finally do.
