Regardless of whether or not you have a special someone to spend Valentine’s Day, your day can be filled with love. For example, you can be your own valentine and take a self care day and check in with yourself. Photo by Jessica Johnson.
Nontraditional doesn’t have to mean boring.
Not having a date on Valentine’s Day is nothing to be ashamed of, there are many ways to spread the love on Valentine’s Day without a significant other.
Here are some suggestions if you don’t have a boo this Valentines Day:
Spend Valentine’s Day with your family
Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, so spending the day with your family can radiate that mushy feeling of the holiday.
Reconnecting with your family to celebrate the season of love can be beneficial, especially nearing during stressful times in your life, like college.
Sending your family a Valentine, video chatting your family, spending the day with your family on Valentine’s Day, and even going on a family outing are just a few examples of how you can spend your Valentine’s Day.
“I think it’s [Valentine’s Day] more about love in general,” said Sydney Anderson, a freshman nursing major from Farmington. “Celebrating the people we care about most in life and loving ourselves is what it’s all about.”
Spend Valentine’s Day with your friends
If celebrating with your family isn’t your thing, then celebrating Valentine’s Day with your friends can be an option too.
Whether it be your friends on campus or back home, spending time with your friends is sure to be filled with laughs, memories and a not-so-boring Valentine’s Day.
For example, getting all your friends together to watch a movie, play board games, make Valentine’s Day-themed treats, or even going out for a night on the town is sure to be fun and, who knows, you may even start your own Valentine’s tradition.
“Me and a couple of friends are going to Benja’s for dinner,” said Alyssa Chavez, a sophomore nursing major from San Diego, California. “We haven’t seen each other in quite some time so it’s something we’ve been planning but decided to do it on Valentine’s Day.”
There’s nothing like getting together with a bunch of friends and having your spirits get lifted, said Chavez.
Spend time with your pets
Pets radiate love! If you have a pet at home or if you know someone that does, celebrate Valentine’s Day with them.
Spend your Valentines Day at the park, snuggling, playing fetch, or even just petting an animal. Animals love to receive affection and love give affection, so you wont be lonely this Valentine’s Day.
Volunteer your time
Many people don’t have Valentine’s this holiday, especially people are less fortunate. Volunteering your time to homeless shelters, nursing homes and or hospice facillities is a selfless way to show love on Valentine’s Day.
In St. George, Volunteermatch.com is a website that connects you to volunteer opportunities all over the community locally. By giving your time, you can make someone’s Valentine’s Day a loving and memorable one.
Be your own Valentine
In college, it’s easy to get stressed, anxious and depressed. College students constantly give and give all of their energy to their professors, extracurricular activities, jobs, homework, studying, etc.
It’s important to take care of your mental health and take some time for yourself this Valentine’s Day.
By taking a bubble bath, applying a face mask, taking a nap, or going out and doing one of your favorite activities, you’ll be practicing one of the most important forms of love this Valentine’s Day: self-love.
Heidee Goates, a sophomore communication major from Queen Creek, Arizona, said: “Be your own Valentine. Treat yourself, love yourself and make it a positive and loving day still.”
Even if all the love you’re giving is to yourself this Valentine’s Day, you’re still celebrating and that is nothing to be ashamed of.