Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the lovebirds out there. It’s for everyone.

And yes, some may chalk it all up to being just another Hallmark holiday, but why not use a day built on love and appreciation to spread more love and gratitude?

If you’re single, perhaps you dread this Day every year. The world all of a sudden becomes a bubble full of happy couples. And the posts on Instagram and Facebook tend to support this perspective. You feel single and singled out.

It’s important to remember that Valentine’s Day is the Day of love, that’s it! So it’s time to start rolling out this change in perspective a little more.

You don’t need an S.O. To start loving Valentine’s Day. A little thoughtfulness is all you need. Appreciate your loved ones – any loved ones – and show them you care.

You Can Celebrate Valentine’s Day This Year

1. Love Yourself First

The most significant and most crucial relationship that matters is the one with yourself. So, if you’re at a loss as to how to celebrate Valentine’s Day, do something for you! Heck, Why Not!  Give yourself some love by buying yourself Valentine’s Day flowers, order takeout, and have a movie night. Go for that massage and get your nails done, read that book you’ve been dying to dig into, or take it as an opportunity to ramp up your fitness. The chances are that the gym will be reasonably quiet on Valentine’s Day night. You can also start the Day off with a little self-reflection. Write down the things you love about yourself. Compliment yourself. Positive self-talk goes a long way. If you’re stumped, affirmations are the way to go. Here are a few to jump-start your self-love journey:

• “I love myself, including all my imperfections. It what makes me unique and lovable.”
• “I am beautiful and worthy.”
• “I am more than enough.”

2. Turn Your Focus to Your Friends

This is a good one to emphasize with your kids. And most schools somewhat do by having each child hand out Valentine’s cards. Discuss it with your children – what makes a friend a good friend? What do you appreciate about your friends? How do they show they care or that they love you?

And ask yourself the same regarding your friendships. If you have a few single friends (or even if they aren’t), grab them Valentine’s Day treat or two. Show them you care! These little things matter a whole bunch in any friendship or relationship. How happy would you be to be on the receiving end of a friendship Valentine?

Start using Valentine’s Day to appreciate those around you. It’ll bring your relationships closer, and your friends and loved ones will likely enjoy it a whole lot more than you think.

3. Spend Time with Your Family

There are so many ways to express love and have a good time with the ones that mean the most to us, and family is no exception. Have a family movie night or activity night, play games together, or visit parents or relatives. Use the Day as an excuse to spend time with the people you care about, and if you want, you can still make everything love-themed. Make each other valentines, or give each other treats, find ways to make your relatives smile.

Go out of your way to show thoughtfulness and appreciation to the people you love. After all, we all could always use a little more love. As the cliché saying goes spread love, not hate, and sometimes life gets so chaotic that you might forget to show your fam how much you care. Grab holds of this opportunity. Use it!

4. Partake in a Valentine’s Day Craft Project

Who doesn’t like an arts and crafts session with kids? There are so many different ways to do this. Craft projects can range from simple Valentine day crafts like melted crayon art, baking, homemade Valentine’s Day cards, paper flowers, or strings of paper hearts.

If you’re planning on spending Valentine’s Day on your own, perhaps a craft or art project that expresses your self-love or explores your feelings about yourself. Or you can go even further and create art with friends that you can hang in your home. Paint night with pals or loved ones on Valentine’s Day is a great way to use your imagination and have fun.

5. Volunteer!

Do you know who needs a little more love around Valentine’s Day? The people at the homeless shelter, the people, struggling in the hospital, and many more. Consider volunteering this time around. Even reaching out to an animal shelter to see if they need an extra hand is worth it.

The love you can share with those that you do not even know is just as valuable and important for our self-talk and soul.

6. OR…

If none of these options sound appealing, here are a few more:

• Bring coffee and treats in for all your coworkers.
• Do a heart-healthy workout.
• Plan something for Galentine’s Day instead with your pals.
• Host a cupcake decorating party.
• Wear something that makes you feel fun and awesome!
• Use the Day to emphasize acts of kindness. Say, thank you. Hold the door for the person behind you. Let that car merge in front of you.
• Journal. Dive into your thoughts and get lost in them. Let it pour out of you.
• Plan a V-day wall at work; encourage your coworkers to post things they appreciate about each other.
• Pay for the person’s coffee behind you.
• Tell your loved ones that you care.

Use Valentine’s Day to Spread Love & Appreciation to Everyone

If you’ve ever felt that Valentine’s Day has a history of excluding people, it’s time to start the movement of including everyone? Everyone has someone they love or someone that loves them. Let’s expand this Day past just happy and adoring couples.

Here’s a little food for thought: Love has no boundaries. It’s inclusive in every way possible. We don’t choose who we love, we just do. I appreciate this aspect of being human. Cherish it and dig deep. Show others you care. We rarely do, so Valentine’s Day is your last opportunity.

We challenge you to find your best way to celebrate a happy and inclusive Valentine’s Day this year! How can you show a little love? What can you do to let those you care about know you care? Drop us some comments, we love to hear them.

Spread your love and kindness!