How To Reclaim Valentine’s Day And Show Yourself Some Love

Let’s get one thing straight: there should be absolutely no shame in being single on Valentine’s Day. Yes, I know that Hallmark movies and the card aisle at CVS might beg to differ. But, if we are being honest, the holiday has kind of become one big ploy to boost consumer spending anyway.
So, if you have recently gotten over a breakup, are stuck in a vague situationship, or are simply single by choice, it is time to stop having anxiety about February 14. It will be just another Tuesday, and being single on that day is no different than being single during the other 364 days of the year.
Now, even with that being said, you are probably still wondering how to spend the impending holiday. And quite frankly, you have two options that are both very valid.
On the one hand, you can decide to ignore Valentine’s Day entirely and go about your normal routine.
Or, you can reclaim the holiday and use it as an excuse to celebrate other things in your life. For instance, yourself or some of the other meaningful friendships you have in life right now.
So, while curling up on your couch after work and watching the same old Netflix show might sound like a move, I would encourage you to go with the latter. I mean, why not take advantage of any day that you can have a great time while simultaneously rebelling against #CoupleCulture?
And if you are totally on board with the Valentine’s Day rebellion of sorts but are still seeking some inspiration for your own celebration, look no further. Below, we have some of the greatest ways to spend your solo V-Day.
Dinner For One
Okay, why did eating alone take on such a negative reputation? I would argue that taking yourself out to dinner is probably the most enjoyable way to dine. First of all, you never have to fight about where to make a reservation– you can just pick your favorite spot!

sergiophoto – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
You also don’t have to fuss about your appearance or worry about how what you order “might look” to some theoretical date. Instead, show up as glammed or comfortable as you please, order a bottle of wine, and indulge in your guilty pleasure meal.
You can even bring a good book or magazine to keep you occupied, or use the bar area as a way to meet some new people. Getting out alone on Valentine’s Day might seem a bit intimidating, but by the end, you will feel no less than empowered.
Family Forever
Do you miss your sister or hometown best friend to pieces? Have you been texting, “We have to catch up!” for months on end? If so, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reconnect with single loved ones.
After all, you both won’t have any date night plans, and you can spend some meaningful quality time together. If you live far away, catch up over FaceTime. Or, if you are local, hit a movie or go bowling. No matter what you do with them, you can’t go wrong.
Did Someone Say Galentine’s Day?
On a similar note, you can even make this V-Day hangout a much larger affair. Invite your closest girlfriends over to your apartment for a wine night with games and trivia. Or, dress up in all pink, go out on the town, and capture some Instagram-able photos.
You can totally spice up this get-together or opt more a more low-key chill night. Either way, though, you will be having fun and fostering the best kinds of relationships: friendships.
Hit The Shops
Okay, if you have ever been in a relationship before, then you may dread gift-giving holidays. I mean, opening something you hate and having to pretend as though you love it? Completely draining– especially for those of us with horrible acting skills.
So, this year, use Valentine’s Day as a way to give yourself the gift you really want– completely guilt-free. Maybe you love crafting and have been eyeing the Cricut, or you want a new purse or makeup palette. Whatever it is, go out and buy it for yourself.
Then, come February 14, you can just spend the evening toying with your new gadget or styling some adorable new clothing items.
Fuel Your Own Fire
This year, we need to stop seeking validation from partners and start giving it to ourselves. And one of the best ways to feel downright sultry and beautiful is to take a fire photoshoot of yourself.
First, find an outfit that you feel unstoppable in– which could literally be anything from a power suit to teeny tiny lingerie. Then, set up a tripod or even take photos on your iPhone using the timer cam.
Look up fun poses online, experiment with lighting, and try your hand at using Lightroom to edit the flicks. Then, save them for yourself and realize that you are perfectly sultry the way you are– single! (You can also post them online if you are feeling particularly spicy, but that’s completely up to you.)
Take A Social Media Hiatus & Hibernate
If the idea of spending Valentine’s Day alone still does not sound that appealing, I get it– especially if you are fresh off a breakup or simply hate seeing all of the lovey-dovey posts online.
So, do yourself a favor, and stop scrolling. If you don’t think you can resist, you can even delete the apps for a couple of days during the week of February 14.
Knowing that social media posts might hurt your mental health is one thing. Doing nothing about it, though, is a surefire way to end up upset. Take back control of your mind, disconnect, and honestly, just get a nice rest on V-Day.
Curl up in bed, hit the sack, and catch up on some much-needed Z’s. After all, the holiday is on a Tuesday, so we will all be back in the office the following morning.
Remember That You Can’t Go Wrong
The most important thing to keep in mind is that things do not always go according to plan. So, if you had your heart set on a Galentine’s Day celebration this year, but you and your friends’ schedules don’t line up, that’s okay. Likewise, if you can’t afford to go on a big shopping spree to treat yourself, it’s really no biggie.
At the end of the day, reclaiming Valentine’s Day as a single woman is just about showing yourself you appreciate you. Take a bath, paint your toenails, do a face mask, or cook yourself a banging dinner. Or, do nothing at all and revel in the feeling of having no responsibilities for one glorious evening.
You honestly cannot go wrong this February 14 as long as you just prioritize yourself.
If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe
This Valentine’s Day, Show Yourself Some Love By Making These Heart-Shaped Churros
Finnish Researchers Developed A New Genetic Test That Can Improve The Treatment Of Ovarian Cancer
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:Advice