Being single on Valentine’s Day can be pretty liberating! Just think: You don’t have to coordinate new plans with someone who forgot to make dinner reservations or tell your date that the flowers he or she bought you actually make you sneeze like crazy. Spend the holiday giving love to the most important person in your life: you. Here are seven ways to celebrate yourself this Valentine’s Day.
1. Make yourself breakfast in bed
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so take care of yourself first and foremost by having a hot meal ready and waiting for you when you wake up this Valentine’s Day!
How is it possible to give yourself breakfast in bed without getting out of bed to make it first? With a Crock-Pot, of course! These appliances are an amazing invention that makes cooking ridiculously simple. Your food cooks slowly while you go to class, study or even sleep.
The night before Valentine’s Day, throw the ingredients for your fave morning meal into a Crock-Pot and let it cook slowly overnight. When you wake up, your food will be warm and ready to eat!
2. Spend the day with your celebrity crush
Ever wondered what it would be like to spend Valentine’s Day staring into Brad Pitt’s eyes? Let this be the year you find out!
Kristen Wade, a senior at Duke University, says that watching her favorite shows and movies is one of her favorite ways to celebrate the holiday. “Usually on Valentine’s Day, I spend the day spoiling myself with a Netflix binge and some of my favorite chocolate,” she says.
Make a list of everything your favorite celeb has ever appeared in and spend the day watching his or her brilliance play out across the screen. Whether you’re re-watching all four seasons of Teen Wolf (because Dylan O’Brien is your spazz-tastic soulmate) or discovering those indie flicks that J-Law first appeared in, your heart is sure to fill with love as you watch your favorite actors and actresses with no interruptions.
3. Soak in a bubble bath
Today’s fast-paced world leaves little time to just sit back and relax, and, to be honest, you’re probably long overdue for a luxurious bubble bath.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to remedy this situation. While showers are super convenient, nothing beats soaking in a hot bath for an hour or two. This fragrant pink bath bomb ($4.95 at LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics) will fill your tub with tiny hearts and cute flowers, turning the water a soft shade of pink (perfect for the holiday!).
Light up the space with a few heart-shaped tea light candles ($6.95 at Crate & Barrel), or choose your favorite scent from Pacifica’s collection of three-ounce soy candles ($6 at Pacifica) to add a touch of fragrance to the air. Take your favorite book with you to get lost in, or just close your eyes and let the water soothe you.
If you live in the dorms and don’t have access to a bathtub, you can still give yourself a relaxing spa day. Focus on your hair, skin and nails – things that can be easily rinsed in the shower. There are easy treatments you can do yourself using ingredients that can be found at your campus store. After a face mask, deep conditioning treatment and relaxing mani/pedi, you’re sure to feel more refreshed than ever this Valentine’s Day!
4. Take yourself on a shopping spree
If there’s something you’ve been eyeing but holding out on for some reason, give it to yourself as a Valentine’s Day present!
Aja Frost, a junior at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is thinking of treating herself this year. “I’m planning on splurging on nice lingerie!” she says. “Usually I can’t justify shopping for underwear anywhere but the usual places, but this V-day I’m going to treat myself to a really nice underwear set and robe.”
Even if you’ve ben cutting back on frivolous purchases, we all need a little gift to ourselves every now and then. Treat yourself to something you’ve been wanting for a while. Maybe it’s time to splurge on a new handbag or find the perfect accessory to go with that cashmere sweater you got for Christmas.
5. Write yourself a love letter
While you may not have sent or received a love letter since high school, that doesn’t mean this time-honored tradition should fall by the wayside. Why not write one to yourself?
Write a letter that says everything you love about yourself. Maybe it’s your ability to always get those papers turned in at the last minute or how you’re always there for a friend in need. Write about things you’ve done that you’re proud of and the things you hope to accomplish in the future. You can read this letter again later when you need a reminder that you love and support yourself.
If long-form handwriting isn’t your thing, keep the message short and sweet. You can write things you love about yourself on slips of paper and place them in a Mason jar. Use these to brighten your day whenever you’re feeling bummed. Writing them on Valentine’s Day, when they’re coming from a place of love, will make these little notes seem that much more special when you read them later.
6. Take yourself on a date
This is the ultimate solo Valentine’s Day pursuit – taking yourself out on a date!
You don’t need the company of someone else to enjoy a night out on the town. Get dressed to the nines in whatever stylish ensemble makes you feel the most confident.
Head out to your favorite restaurant and order your signature dish, knowing that no one else is going to be stealing any food from your plate. And you don’t have to worry about sharing dessert, either! Savor that triple chocolate cake all by yourself.
Afterwards, do an activity that you love. Take yourself to see that new French film that got rave reviews. Or go for a solo walk in the park while listening to your favorite music.
7. Indulge in sweets
If you have a sweet tooth, now’s the perfect time to give in to it!
Try your hand at one of these heart-shaped treats, or bake some delicious Valentine’s Day cookies (and maybe share a few with your single gal pals). Eat a whole bar of dark chocolate, and don’t even think about passing up dessert if you find yourself out on the town – that tiramisu is calling your name, and your name only. You have an obligation to fulfill yourself. This day only comes once a year!
February 14 might be the day of love, but that shouldn’t stop us single ladies from participating! Besides, the longest relationship you’ll ever have is with yourself. So show some self-love by celebrating yourself this Valentine’s Day!