Be Your Own Valentine

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. The stores are filled with heart-shaped boxes of candy and red roses are flying off the shelves. But what if you're alone? Or in a relationship that is struggling through a rough patch?

Our culture celebrates romantic love above all else. We tend to feel like we're failing on an epic level if we don't have fireworks in our relationships.

But love is all around us. We might have loving parents, friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers, dogs, horses, and cats. And we most certainly have love inside our hearts.

Whether you have a loving partner in your life right now or not, you can take time this Valentine's Day to show yourself some love. What might that look like? It's completely up to you!

If you love to cook, you might make yourself a delicious dinner. Choose a menu of all your favorite foods. Does this seem self-indulgent? All the better!

If you hate to cook, take yourself out to your favorite restaurant for a special meal. You can bring a friend, if you'd prefer to have company, or go alone.

Maybe you enjoy going to the movies, but never have time. Schedule a movie date with yourself. Buy yourself some popcorn, while you're at it.

Pamper yourself with a spa day, if that's what makes you feel loved. Get a massage, a facial, a mani/pedi, or a mud bath. Make it a splurge. Something you don't normally do for yourself. If you don't have the money, give yourself a DIY spa day at home.

Take a mini-vacation. Spend a day at the beach, or in the mountains, or wherever you feel the most relaxed and happy. Go alone, or invite a friend. Read a trashy novel by the pool or in front of the fire. Order room service.

Make yourself a Valentine's card. Tell yourself all the reasons you love yourself. List everything you think is wonderful about you. No one else has to see this, so don't hold back. You will probably feel awkward about it, but there's nothing wrong with recognizing your awesomeness. (Unless you're a psychopath, a narcissist, or a serial killer. Then none of this applies.)

This Valentine's Day, while you're sending your love out into the world, don't forget to show yourself some love!