Draven Jackson
Blogger | Teacher
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Cupids, love songs, and chocolate – oh my! As 2021 continues moving through the first few months of the year, we are quickly coming upon the holiday of love: Valentine’s Day. And while February 14th is a favorite among couples everywhere, it can feel a bit disheartening to those without a special someone to share it with. Honestly speaking, Valentine’s Day isn’t always the easiest for the single pringles.

However, it doesn’t have to be all bad – maybe it’s time for all the single ladies out there to reclaim this day of love! While we commonly view Valentine’s Day as a holiday for lovers, it can be just as enjoyable celebrated with friends and family, or when showering yourself in a little self-love. Just because you’re not romantically involved doesn’t mean you have to be cast out of the holiday altogether – it just may look a little different than you expect.

In order to help all those single moms out there make the most of this Valentine’s Day, here are some ways to celebrate February 14th that don’t involve a significant other.

Bake cookies with your kiddos

Finding fun new cookie recipes to bake with your kids can be an amazing way to celebrate this Valentine’s Day as a single woman. Familial love is just as important as romantic love, and showing your kids that you can be happy even if you aren’t in a relationship can be a wonderful lesson for them to learn (even if they aren’t aware that they are learning it). Plus, baking can be a great bonding experience!

While not strictly a Valentine’s tradition in my household, cookie day is an annual event for my family and has been celebrated every year for at least the last decade. My mother, sister, and I always look forward to it and begin picking out our recipes days in advance. We turn on some tunes and spend the day talking, laughing, and baking to our hearts’ content. The internet is full of fun and interesting recipes to try out with your kids – ones your tummies will be thanking you for.

Have a date night with the gals

You don’t have to save date nights just for S.O’s – sometimes you just need your girls to take you out once in a while! The rise in “Galentine’s Day” traditions has made being single on Valentine’s Day much less disappointing over the years. Personally, I’ve always found going out with my friends to be much more relaxed and way less awkward than formal Valentine’s Day dates.

So this year, use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to get the girl pack together. Have everyone dress up in their best outfits – you know, the ones that make you feel drop dead gorgeous – and go out to grab a drink and a bite to eat at a nice restaurant. While CoVID may cause the group to be smaller and the masks to rub off the makeup on your chin, there’s no reason this Galentine’s Day can’t be just as amazing as those in years past.

Binge-watch your favorite movies with your family

Movies are a favorite date night activity for couples everywhere, but they can also be an amazing way to bond with your family. Whether you decide to stay true to the holiday and put on all your favorite rom coms or decide to steer clear of all romance-affiliated movies, having a movie night at home can be a great way to remind yourself that you can still have fun on Valentine’s Day, even as a single lady. Plus, it can be the perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to the movies that you love.

Cook a fancy dinner at home

Valentine’s Day dinners aren’t simply for the lovers of the world – even single pringles gotta eat! Much like baking cookies with your family can be a beneficial bonding experience, cooking dinner can also be a great way to work together to make something amazing. Take the time to pick a recipe that is new and unique – maybe today is the day you try to make a beef wellington, or it might be the perfect time to try your hand at making your own sushi rolls.

Cooking your own Valentine’s meal can also be another wonderful way to involve your kids and show them that Valentine’s Day can be just as special with or without an S.O. Make February 14th a family tradition – a way to show your kids how special they are while reminding yourself of how special you are.

Treat yourself to a special something just for you

Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to end with couples – single women deserve a little something special, too. So, if no one is there to gift you with a Valentine’s present, it may be time to give one to yourself! Buy that shirt you’ve been eyeing, get yourself that facial you’ve been wanting, or maybe just go get a fluffy plushy from Target – whatever it is that makes you happy! Take this opportunity to buy something that just brings you joy. It doesn’t have to be necessary or helpful in any way – it just needs to be something from you, for you, and about you. Because you deserve it.

If you’re feeling extra generous this year, make it a family shopping trip! Let the kids find a little toy for themselves and show them that there’s nothing wrong with taking the time to treat yourself.

Affirm that you are worthy of love

Most importantly, use this February 14th to remind yourself that even if you are romantically alone, you are not lesser in any way. Whatever the reason may be for your single pringle status, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to make you feel like you are missing out. It also doesn’t have to be about not having a significant other at all – maybe the reason you’re single this year is that the universe is reminding you that it’s time you loved yourself, too.

We spend so much time trying to find affirmation from those around us, waiting for someone to tell us we are worthy of love in order to believe it. But you don’t need to be told that – you ARE worthy of love. You always have been, and you always will be, and eventually, you will find it. You are strong, you are amazing, and you deserve to be loved for exactly who you are. Never let any person or any day of the year make you feel differently. You deserve to be loved – most especially by yourself.

So, if you find yourself single this Valentine’s Day, make the most of it. Make it about you, your friends, and your family – not about the significant other you may not have right now. The holiday of love belongs to everyone, even those who may not be participating in it romantically.

Chin up, girl boss – you’ve got this.

About Draven Jackson

Draven is an avid writer and reader who enjoys sharing her opinions on movies, books, and music with the rest of the world. She will soon be working as a teacher in Japan and hopes to use her experience to connect with other teachers and students around the globe. Draven spends most of her time at home with her family, her dogs, and her ferret.

To see more, view all posts by Draven Jackson here.