Happy Valentine’s Day to YOU!

Valentine’s Day… bouquets of roses, boxes of chocolates, romantic cards…..   Love is in the air and happiness seems to be oozing from every place you go and everywhere you look.  It’s in the stores, on Facebook, television shows…. it’s EVERYWHERE!

It can mean a day filled with loving moments.  A day in which absolutely nothing is different that day for you.  Or, it can be a day that creates or increases your feelings of isolation and loneliness.

If you are “coupled” it may mean an intimate evening with your loved one.  Whether that’s a fancy dinner, jewelry, chocolates, a movie night, or just some quality time together, it’s often a night to remember.

Or, it may be a day at home alone.  Possibly feeling isolated and lonely.  Watching these couples, these scenes on television, and perhaps longing for someone to look at you the way these couples gaze into each other’s eyes.

If you are not in a relationship, Valentine’s day can take any isolation you are already feeling to new levels.  You may feel even more alone than ever.  It seems that all that love in the air almost becomes mocking or suffocating when you are alone.

So, what do we do?? The first thing I’ve found helpful to remember, is that it’s just a day. And like any other day, it’s what you make of it.  If you know you are likely to feel bouts of loneliness and sadness on Valentine’s day, arm yourself ahead of time with a self-care kit.  Splurge a bit! Treat yourself to a massage or set aside some time for meditation.  Really dig deep that day to reach inner peace or perhaps practice some gentle yoga to re-energize yourself a bit.  Or, dedicate some extra time with a good book you have been looking forward to reading (or listening to!). Whatever are you go-to comfort items, keep them handy if you think Valentine’s day may be a particularly rough day for you.

And most of all, don’t forget that any love that you will find outside of your house is not as important as making sure you have self-love and that you are taking care of yourself.  While Valentine’s Day has been commercialized into a day all about couples and gifts from others, don’t forget about the most important gift.  The gift you can give yourself that day and every day.  All the self-care, love, and attention you deserve.  Take the day to pamper yourself in big or small ways because if anyone deserves it, it’s you.  Take a moment and let Valentines just be all about you.  Whether that’s you with your loved one or you treating yourself to a special day of self-love, special treats, and comfort items. Pamper the heck out of yourself!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you!