Celebrating Yourself: Self-Love this Valentine’s Day
Written By: Grace Mintun
Date: February 8, 2025
Photo credit: haileyrosephotosI have always thought, ever since I was a kid, that Valentine's Day is a day to spread love. Whether you loved inwardly, towards yourself, or outwardly, towards others, I believed you didn't need a romantic partner in order to have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Why is Valentine’s Day, a holiday about love, only about couples, and not about the individual going solo and showing love to themselves? All around the world, right at this very moment, people are taking time out of their lives to love those around them—to appreciate each other. Why do those interactions only have to be romantic?
Whether you're single and wanting to celebrate the holiday, or taken and just wanting to try something new, here are some “Single” Valentine's Day ideas:
Photo credit: Alyssa MengleGalentines/Palentines with Friends
Galentine’s, or the more gender neutral Palentine’s, is a day to celebrate platonic love wherever you see it around you. It is about celebrating friendships, making new memories, and remembering old ones! Normally, a Gal/Palentine’s is not complete without the following:
Tasty treats, whether that’s a charcuterie board (themed or not), a smorgasbord of red and pink treats, fancy mocktails or cocktails, or even a heart-shaped pizza.
A craft of some sort—popular ideas range from painting candles, making felt valentines, painting Valentine’s iconography, or painting wine glasses! (It seems to be a lot of painting, but do whatever floats your boat and screams “love” to you!)
A photo area for selfies with some red and pink streamers, some balloons, and heart decor! Be sure to have lots of giggling ones by sharing some funny dating stories while posing.
Games and activities—card games, board games, or party classics like Truth or Dare are up for grabs here! One of my fave activities at Galentines events with some of your closest friends is getting tipsy and having them swipe on dating apps for you. Who knows, they may just find your perfect match! Also, making funny presentations for each other on V-day themed topics like “which of Taylor Swift’s exes is definitively the worst” or “here are the best smut books to read, with their best quotes, ranked” to really get the laughs flowing.
And of course, making valentines for each other! These can range from pun-filled to serious, but be sure to add some things you love about the other person to give them the warm fuzzies! These can be as simple or elaborate as you want—really let your creativity shine.
Optional activities include: yoga, a spa day, discussing a romance novel, having a tea/wine/coffee tasting, brunch, flower arranging, thrifting, movie night, friendship bracelets, an affirmation jar, tarot card reading, karaoke, or a gift exchange! The possibilities are endless!
Photo credit: PurplePassSpeed Dating or Singles Mixers
Don’t want to hang with friends? Think the best way to get over a single Valentine’s Day is by getting under someone else? This option is for you! Normally, you can find speed dating or singles events listed on social media or on sites like Eventbrite. Even if you don’t find anyone for you romantically, it will be fun to meet some cool people in your area to potentially become friends with.
Photo credit: Skinny DipSelf Date: Out of House
Spend a day doing something you love outside of the house. Need the excuse to spend a day in a bookstore from sunrise to sunset? This is your sign. Shop until you drop! Buy yourself the craft supplies you’ve been eyeing or thrift some pieces for your house and wardrobe. Go to your favorite places and just enjoy them. Whether that’s a museum, an art gallery, a park, or a coffee shop, if it brings you joy, then you deserve to do it!
Pour into your community! Volunteer at an old folks home or take care of animals by volunteering to take some dogs at the shelter out for a walk. See if you can volunteer at your local library, food pantry, or somewhere else that deserves your attention and pulls on your heart strings.
Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the “excuse” to. Been having a hard time justifying trying all the restaurants in your area you’ve always wanted to try? Or from going on that day trip to an expensive place and perusing all the gift shops? Take the class—paint and sip, pottery, pole dancing, whatever tickles your fancy! Go dress shopping for ballgowns and try them all on! Check off an item on that bucket list that has just been growing longer. Do something you think you’ll love to celebrate love for yourself.
Photo credit: Jaden DeeSelf Date: In House
Write notes to all your loved ones! (Friends count! Yourself counts!!) Think of this as a way to tell everyone in your life exactly what you love about them, your favorite memories of them, or just some affirmations to brighten their day.
Use the craft supplies you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to use. Today is the perfect time to use them! I’m sure you’ll love whatever you create.
Treat yourself by trying something new—sexy or otherwise. Go lingerie shopping, get a new adult toy that may add the extra pizazz you need on this day all about love, or just order all the things sitting in your online shopping cart.
Self *love*. When self-love becomes self-love, that’s when Valentine’s becomes a spicy time. Take this time to do things with yourself a partner never did, and explore what you like. Look up ideas and try the “something new” you’ve been too nervous to try. This day is all about you, and you know yourself best. And if you don’t know exactly what you like, what a perfect day to find out, right? No pressure, no expectations, just a day about showing yourself all the love you deserve.
You don't have to give in to the “hearts everywhere, red and pink color scheme, roses and chocolates” Valentine's Day if you don't want to. Valentine's Day is about showing love to everyone, including yourself. And if those things make you gag, then show love for your own boundaries and don't participate in them! Instead, do what makes you happy and shows yourself compassion. Valentine's Day isn't just about the romantic love that's in the air, it's about remembering to thank those who make the love around us, including our friends and ourselves. So why don’t you join me this Valentine’s Day? Let’s start the tradition of loving ourselves.
Written by: Grace Mintun
About the author: A writer and Twitch streamer dedicated to promoting kindness and breaking down stigma around mental health and disabilities!
Tags: Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, Self Love
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Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palentine%27s_Day#:~:text=Palentine's%20Day%20is%20a%20global,Day%2C%20which%20celebrates%20romantic%20love.
https://blog.gratefulness.me/affirmation-jar/
https://www.tagvenue.com/blog/galentines-day-party-ideas/#:~:text=A%20game%20night%20may%20be%20just%20the,games%20such%20as%20Conversation%20starters%20and%20TableTopics.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/valentines-day-ideas/a38503255/galentines-day-party-ideas/
https://newmodernmom.com/blog/galentines-day-ideas/
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