6 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day If You’re Single

Whether you are socially distanced from your partner due to lockdown measures, newly single, or seemingly forever single, Valentine’s Day during a global pandemic can feel a little (or a lot) harsh. But just because you don’t currently have a partner to celebrate the occasion with and going out to meet someone new isn’t really an option right now doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the day. There are so many ways to show love, and Valentine’s Day is as good a day as any to explore them with the same care and attention you would a lover or partner. After all, self-love is what allows us to love. others better. A little bird told me.

Here are 6 tips for getting through the day of love solo in 2021.

1. Remember that every day is a day of (self) love.

Okay, maybe you don’t really want to hear it right now, but deep down, you know it’s true: Valentine’s Day can be fun at times, but ultimately, it’s a marketing ploy to sell chocolate and Hallmark cards. Is that a bittersweet prospect? Not really. On the contrary, it’s actually quite sweet, because what it really means is that every day Valentine’s Day should be a celebration of love in all its forms, and Valentine’s Day can sometimes distract us from that truth by concentrating expressions of love, affection, and appreciation into a single day. So let that be a starting point.

2. Treat yourself.

Take into account the eternal lessons by Tom and Donna, and treat yourself. Chances are you’re neglecting acts of self-appreciation. Most of us are. This can, of course, take many forms, depending on how you feel and what you need. Listen to your heart on this one. While retail therapy has its limits (you can’t buy me love, as the nam says?), buying yourself a gift can always Be an incredible act of love. Whether it’s that impractical new dress you’ve always wanted or that shag rug for your home office, make it something that will make you feel loved by You.

3. Take care of yourself

When people talk about self-care, they usually mean, “Do whatever you need to do to feel good.” Maybe a candlelit bath infused with rose petals and essential oils is the most likely way to make you feel like a queen. Maybe cooking your favorite meal and savoring every bite is what your heart craves. Maybe you need some purely creative time to write, draw, paint, or sculpt—sometimes, new ways of expressing yourself are therapeutic. Maybe all you really need is a rom-com marathon and a sob party, and there’s no shame in that. Ignore the many narratives about what you should and shouldn’t want on Valentine’s Day. Like every day, it’s your day!

4. Throw a Valentine’s Day Party

If you prefer to be alone or are sick of Zoom, forget about this option, but if you’ve had a bubble bath and don’t mind a little company to top it off, consider hosting a virtual wedding day party with a few of your closest friends. You could enjoy that rom-com marathon together, compare bad dating stories over a few glasses of wine, have dinner together separately, or show off your sexiest lingerie just for the hell of it. Friends are some of the most intimate relationships in our lives, never forget that.

5. Contact a (potential) love interest

Maybe you’ve been chatting with someone on OKC or Tinder and you really like them, even if you haven’t gotten beyond Zoom calls or long-distance outdoor walks (it’s a tough time for new lovers, no one’s denying that!). Why not take a leap of faith and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable (as weird as that may sound) by simply making contact in some way. A spark is a spark, after all. Maybe a good old-fashioned phone call is just what you need, or maybe you’re up for another video date, but with fewer clothes on this time. Or maybe you have a deep, erotically charged written correspondence going on that you want to continue to build on. Whatever it is, feel free to explore.

6. Have a correct sexual attitude

Maybe it’s time to buy a new sex toyand spend a solo steam session pleasuring yourself to endorphin-induced oblivion. Or maybe you’re ready to dig a little deeper and try exploring slow, self-love tantric masturbation. However you choose to love yourself, make it an indulgent answer to one or all of the following sensual questions: What does my body need? What does my heart desire? What is my deepest desire? Where is my hidden volcano? Where does my wild side lurk?

Bottom line: Valentine’s Day 2021 is only happening once. If you’re not currently in the throes of a romance, but something inside of you wants to honor love, know that there are countless ways to do so. The ideas above are meant to inspire and thrill you. I encourage you to get crazy, get creative, and most importantly, make sure your chosen celebration is rooted in self-love. <3