Feeling Lonely on Valentine's Day? Tips and Tricks for Coping
Once again, Valentine’s Day is here. If you’re in a relationship, then today is a day focused on your connection with the person you care about, which is awesome! Enjoy it! Today is your day to unapologetically love on your partner and celebrate them. However, if you’re single, Valentine’s Day can feel disappointing and painful, and that is also okay! (We also know that you can hate Valentine’s Day or be disappointed by it while in a relationship and you can also be liberated by being single on Valentine’s Day… it is ultimately a holiday about selling cards and eating chocolate). No matter what your situation is, if you’re feeling like a lonely heart this Valentine’s Day, here are some ideas on tips and tricks to enjoy your day and take care of yourself.
Plan Ahead
We know that it is coming, so use this to your advantage - you can plan ahead. Take some time to think about what would make you feel special, loved, and comforted if you’re anticipating struggling through this Valentine’s Day. The purpose of Valentine’s Day is to celebrate love and romance, so this is a perfect opportunity to date yourself - this helps you clarify what you want out of a relationship and remind yourself you are special, important, and worthy of love and care. Some ways you can plan ahead to take care of yourself this Valentine’s Day are:
Send yourself roses or set up a delivery of a fun gift or treat
Make a fun plan with friends (or by yourself!) - book dinner reservations, schedule a dinner party, go to the movies, or even just a coffee or dessert date
Schedule a massage or facial - get some physical touch and relaxation
Write yourself a card with all the reasons you love you!
Engage in Some Extra Self-Care
Perhaps you’re anticipating some painful feelings on February 14th, and that is okay! Use this as an opportunity to practice some extra self-care and intentionally focus on taking care of yourself. The goal of these exercises are to allow you to feel your feelings while also feeling safe and enhancing your ability to self-regulate. It is okay to feel difficult feelings!
Do some journaling. There are a few options for ways that could feel comforting:
Gratitude journaling: list out all of the things in your life that you’re grateful for
Vent: just write out all the feelings you’re having and thoughts you’re thinking - this can function as a release of all the build up occurring in your body and mind
Affirmations and self-love: create a list of all the things you love about yourself or write out phrases that feel supportive of you and your self-love
Manifestation - spend time journaling for all the things you’d like to manifest in your life - you can even reflect on and manifest the love you want in your life, and your plan for getting there
Exercise can help you regulate your emotions, offer a distraction from your thoughts, and improve your mood
Call someone who makes you feel loved and supported
Get some extra rest - take a decadent mid-afternoon nap, go to bed early with your sleep mask and white noise machine, or sleep in with no alarm for once!
Engage in creative activities, such as painting, drawing, singing, and dancing: creativity can be a fun way to release your emotions and have fun!
Maintain Normal Routine
Remember, it is also just another day in your very big life. February 14th doesn’t have to mean anything or be any different from a regular day if you don’t want it to be. If you’d rather skip right over all the fanfare, spend some time doing all of the tasks you need to get done while others are distracted: laundry, groceries, cleaning, work, etc. You can maintain your normal routine during this day and allow yourself to ignore the pressures and emotional reminders that Valentine’s Day may offer you, with the added bonus of feeling super accomplished and satisfied with yourself at the end of it.
We are sending you extra love this Valentine’s Day, however you do or do not observe it. If Valentine’s Day is hitting you hard this year and you’re looking for extra support, please reach out to schedule a consultation with one of our therapists at the New York City Psychotherapy Collective today!
Follow the steps below to get started:
Click here to share some information about you so that we can match you with the perfect therapist for your needs.
Have a low-pressure, 20-minute call with your therapist to make sure they are the right fit.
Schedule your first session and start on your journey to feeling better right away.
We offer specialized services for related issues like Anxiety, Depression, LGBTQ Affirming Therapy, and Therapy Specifically for Young Adults. We can help you feel less overwhelmed, more relaxed, and more like the self you want to be.