When you’re single — whether divorced, widowed or never having found that love connection at all — Valentine’s Day can leave you feeling like the whole world is lined up in ark-ready pairs, while you’re stuck on the sidelines. Logically, you know coupledom isn’t the be all and end all, but for many people flying solo, Valentine’s Day can still feel a bit lonely.
Here are five ways to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day — no partner required.
Write a ‘Love Letter’ to Your Best Friend
Friends support us throughout our lives; they see us through our best and worst times. And whether we’re single or coupled off, their love remains a core part of our lives and history.
Regardless of whether or not you’re in a romantic relationship, the love of a good friend is priceless, and deserves to be celebrated!
Enjoy a Little Bit of Puppy (or Kitty) Love
If you’re feeling sad, nothing gives you the warm fuzzies quite like petting a dog or cat. Interacting with pets releases a hormone known as oxytocin, which is often referred to as “the love hormone” because it mimics the way we feel when we fall in love. And it’s not just you who gets that boost of feel-good hormones — the dog or cat gets it, too!
Don’t have a pet? Take a trip to your local animal shelter and spread some love by visiting with some of the dogs or cats who are waiting for homes. For those who’ve been abandoned, a pat on the head, a warm hug or a little playtime will break up their lonely day, making them feel loved and special. And who knows — maybe you’ll even meet your new fuzzy Valentine.
Engage in Random Acts of Kindness
We’ve all heard about “random acts of kindness” — or possibly been the recipient of one. Maybe you picked up your drive-thru order, only to find the person in front of you paid for it already. Or perhaps the person in the grocery store saw your six items and invited you to cut in front of them so you didn’t have to wait while they emptied their packed-to-the-gills cart. Maybe someone held a door for you when you were juggling packages or a stranger complimented you when you were feeling down. These little acts of kindness make people feel better — which often inspires them to pay it forward, creating a positive ripple effect.
If you want to share the love on Valentine’s Day, why not commit to spending the day engaging in random acts of kindness? To increase the impact, challenge your friends to do the same. You can even turn it into a social media game, inviting friends to share their random acts of kindness and tag others.
Need more ideas for ways to share the love? The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation can help.
Ease Someone Else’s Loneliness
Often, one of the best ways to ease your own loneliness is to help others with theirs.
If you want to reach out and brighten someone’s holiday, consider visiting a veteran’s home or assisted care facility. You can also write a letter to someone who’s away from home serving their country or brighten the day of local first responders with a note of thanks.
Take a Few Hours to Pamper Yourself — Self-Love Matters, Too
Are you always running yourself ragged? While it would seem like the absence of a romantic relationship would leave you with more time, that’s rarely the case. Being single often makes you the one people rely on for help, whether it’s taking on an extra work shift, caring for older parents, volunteering in your community or counseling friends who are struggling with life challenges.
If you never seem to have “me time,” Valentine’s Day might be the perfect opportunity to show a little self-love. Why not get a mani/pedi or massage, plan a day out with a friend, cook up your favorite meal, listen to some feel-good music or just curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book? Celebrating YOU is a wonderful way to spend the holiday — and you’ll likely end up refreshed and recharged for having made some private time for yourself!
Happy Valentines Day
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