For a lot of people, Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s Day, if you prefer) is about getting showered with love (cue the overpriced roses and chocolate-covered strawberries, here). It’s become a day on the calendar that’s synonymous with heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, mushy cards, and expensive dinners at fancy restaurants. And, while that’s all well and good, if that’s your jam, we live in an era where it is expected that e-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y wants (or needs) that special someone to complete their life.
After I got divorced, I can’t tell you how many times people (seemingly innocently enough) would say to me, “when are you going to start dating?” or “when you get remarried…(insert sentiment).” In the beginning, it seemed innocuous, like they were just trying to be helpful. But now, two years later, it has gotten old…fast. The last two years have marked quite a period of adjustment for me. While I’ve had to get used to living on my own again, it has also been a truly empowering time in my life. All of the decisions I need to make in my own life are made exclusively by and for me. Anything I want to do—take a trip, enroll in a class, or do absolutely nothing over a long weekend—permission granted. If being the CEO of your own life isn’t an empowering feeling, then I don’t know what is.
Please don’t get me wrong, though. While I’ve embraced my single status, there are certainly times when it would be nice to have a partner to do things with. But for now, I’ve enjoyed having this time to find my voice, build my blog, travel with girlfriends, and just live my life on my own terms.
So, how do I feel about Valentine’s Day as a recently divorced woman? I love it. My philosophy on living is that one should live life as though every day is a special day and a day to be celebrated. I believe in the #treatyoself mentality and embrace exercising it as often as you feel you need to. Personally, I treat myself to at least one thing a day that makes me happy. It could be something as simple as getting a manicure to upgrading my coffee order at Starbucks from a Grande to a Venti.
But, if Valentine’s Day isn’t a bed of roses for you, I want you to know that I hear you, so I’m sharing a few ways that you can celebrate on your own terms:
- Buy yourself flowers: This is something I started doing right after I got divorced, and I secretly wondered why I hadn’t been doing it all along. Trader Joe’s is my favorite stop for a beautiful and inexpensive bouquet of fresh flowers that will instantly brighten my day and my space.
- Go out to dinner with your girlfriends: Last year, I celebrated Galentine’s Day and had a blast. I went out to an early dinner at my favorite restaurant with one of my closest friends. Since we went early, we were able to beat the crowd and take advantage of special pricing.
- Treat yourself to something special: In need of some rest and relaxation? Grab a massage. Want some alone time? Order in your favorite meal and hit up Netflix. Saw a handbag you’ve been eyeing? Buy it. Do whatever will make you happy and take the time to celebrate yourself.
Whether you are spending this Valentine’s Day with your special someone, with your girlfriends, or by yourself, remember to celebrate and embrace what makes you special and unique.
What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day?
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