It is okay to be single on Valentine’s Day
Societal expectations would make people believe that they must have a date, be attached on Valentine’s Day. Many people who are single feel pressured into finding a date due to external opinions put on them! However it is healthier being single than being isolated with the wrong person. Being single should be normalised, a free choice that people should feel that they are able to make and be happy with because they are being true to themselves. Here are some ways that a single person can enjoy themselves on Valentine’s Day:
- Make a date with yourself – Have a pamper day with yourself. Whether that looks like a day in, a DIY spa day with yourself, cooking yourself your favourite meal and enjoying your favourite series or films or a shopping day out. It could be a massage or a visit to the hairdresser too. Buy yourself some flowers and your favourite chocolates.
- Limit or stay off social media – This can be upsetting for people who are single and are conscious of it in the form of self-judgement, so staying off social media is a healthy way of avoiding people’s statuses and updates about what they are doing as couples on Valentines!
- Spend time with your family and friends and experience the laughter, joy, and fun with them.
- Participate in an exercise class to get your feel-good endorphins going! This will boost your mood for the day.
- Do something nice in terms of charity, help out the homeless or the elderly, these people who are in need and reap the rewards from doing an act of goodwill.
- Treat Valentines as just another day, because that is all it is in the end. Show yourself some compassion and love.
- Have a sleepover with your single friends and enjoy each other’s company!
- Treat the day as a rest day and catch up on much needed rest!
Ciarán Coyle
MIACP
Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Sensory Space
