Prepping for the Big Day
@shelbyeastmanIt’s easier to ignore the slow approach of that one fateful day in February that comes around every year. Unfortunately, because of the social accessibility of our generation, Valentine’s Day doesn’t just come, it lingers. It lingers with every Instagram post, reel, story, and TikTok. As the impressions rise, so does the amount of content we see for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or the yearly petitions to ban said holiday.
We can curse the Hallmark makers of the mid-1800s for taking St. Valentine’s Day’s name and making it commercially repulsive or we can buck up and take the doomsday that will never go away with pride.
The world gave singles Galentine’s Day to band-aid a wound that will never heal. That’s nice, but does it stop February 14th from coming around the following day? No. So why not claim February 14th as our own too. It’s about love, isn’t it? And we love ourselves, right?
Instead of wasting time mulling over how to spend the holiday in mourning, while the Valentine’s couples’ boaster about in their cupid Ubers and heart-shaped dinners, let’s spend the day showering ourselves with love…. and p.s. you don’t have to be single to do the same.
Finding yourself in a state of limbo, or your S/O is unjustly annoying at current, take the day for yourself. Who says you HAVE to see other people on Valentine’s Day, anyway? Luckily for us, it’s a Monday, and everyone already knows not to bother us on Mondays.
To assist in our reclamation, I’ve pulled together a list of gestures we can show ourselves on the big day. Pick one, pick all five, or pick none. Sit your ass on the couch all day. It’s our day. We can do whatever the hell we want. But if you want to take part, you can start with these easy steps to redemption.
Love Gesture #1:
Book a facial, massage, or a simple grooming appointment. It can be as simple as a lash tint. Twenty hard-earned bucks of self-love. After your appointment, take a seat at your favorite coffee shop, buy yourself a treat, and show off the glow.
Love Gesture #2:
Head to Strand Bookstore or your local bookstore to grab a book to read on the day. I am slightly biased, but The City of Dating, A Memoir, is the perfect read for a single rebel. Need a distraction from reality, go straight to the fantasy novel section for visions of a dark, handsome, strong God carrying you through the holiday.
Love Gesture #3:
Walk to your closest Bodega to buy yourself flowers. The beauty of heading to your neighborhood shop is not only to support locally, but it’s the perfect excuse to get off the couch and make the living room scenery more pleasant for your return to potatoing. Also, a pro to not having anyone buy them for you is that you get to pick the flowers out yourself. Buy those lilies and don’t let anyone tell you they are messy!
Love Gesture #4:
Cook yourself a Valentine’s meal. JK, hate cooking?… same. Order in from your favorite restaurant, instead. Now we have flowers and a beautiful meal for one. Plus, you’re supporting local, AGAIN.
Love Gesture #5:
Allow yourself patience. As much as we all like to preach it, it is difficult to spend this holiday alone, even when you are with your friends. There is always a slight sense of lack, but we must vow to ourselves to fill our love cups a little each time with a simple gesture to ourselves.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Singles!
