Valentine’s Day is here and that means love is in the air. The holiday has a connotation as only being for couples, but anyone, single or taken, can celebrate it. This year, as I am happily celebrating a single V-day with my girls, I want to highlight the importance of self-love. I’ve written a list full of tips in the form of a poem. Hopefully, my rhymes offer you solid advice on how to spend your time.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m single this Valentine’s Day but I won’t boo hoo.
You’ll want to be outside, be sure to wear sunscreen so you don’t fry. Get some paint and set up somewhere quaint.
Getting outside is one of the best ways to express self-love. It’ll be warm and sunny so soak in that nice weather. If you’re like me, painting will be the perfect activity to keep you busy. Who doesn’t love creating something that’s all their own?
My favorite way to celebrate is putting on a cute outfit. Then, all you have to do is walk around and get compliments.
Dress in a manner that brings you joy. It doesn’t matter if you have actual Valentine’s Day plans or not. Don yourself in red and pink. I bought the cutest heart-clad sweater and I’m planning on pairing it with my heart bag.
Find yourself a little nook and read a book. I’m currently reading “The Proposal,” hopefully it has a better ending than the Cotton Bowl.
Reading is one of the best ways to take a break from everything that’s going on. You get transported into the world of ink and paper. If you’re into romance and want to support Black authors, I suggest reading books by two of my favorite authors, Jasmine Guillory and Bolu Babalola.
Celebrate with your friends and watch movies until the night ends.
This is a Galentine’s Day must. Even though I had a Valentine last year, we both celebrated with our friends. My roommates and I watched “Pitch Perfect” and sang along with every single song.
Want to get that heart pumping? Go to the gym and have your music bumping.
Spring break is right around the corner so, keep working out and maintaining your physical health goals. Spotify has plenty of energetic workout playlists. My personal favorite is Workout Latino.
Buy yourself a present, it’ll make your day more pleasant.
To quote Donna Meagle and Tom Haverford from “Parks and Recreation,” “treat yo self.” You deserve it. If you see a cute necklace, treat yo’ self. If those chocolates look good, treat yo’ self. If someone’s selling cute clothes, treat yo’ self. Whatever will make you happy, go ahead and get it. Don’t limit yourself just because you wish someone else bought it for you.
Go to Trader Joe’s and buy some flowers, they’ll smell good for hours.
You. Deserve. Your. Flowers. So, get those roses or lilies. They’ll make your space bright and fill you with happiness. And for my imaginative people out there, if you carry around flowers on Valentine’s Day, people will think someone gave them to you.
Bake and cook until you’re content, share it with your friends so you don’t lament.
Making a meal for yourself and your friends is so fulfilling. There are plenty of recipes out there so feel free to try something new. There’s a reason why Elizabeth Gilbert ate, prayed and loved.
If you daydream like me, sit in the Village and wait for a cutie.
I personally believe that my life is a movie. If you do too, one of the tropes you know is going to happen is that a stranger will notice you from across the room and profess their love for you. Because why wouldn’t they? One of the best places to sit still and look pretty while also being mysterious is the Village. So, make sure you’re wearing that cute fit from #2, it’ll come in handy.
If your bestie ditches you for their boo, find out where they’re going and crash it too.
Homies come first, so it’s my belief that crashing your friends’ date is fine. They’re gonna have to get used to you both being in a package deal. But I will give the boo bonus points if they hang out with the homies afterward. Remember what the iconic Spice Girls said, “if you wanna be my lover / You gotta get with my friends.”
Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, February 14th; it’s a day that you can celebrate in many ways.