No date, no problem: Valentine’s day is singles’ day, too

IF you come from the side of singles this Valentine’s Day, maybe you are now contemplating and shouting about how irrelevant this day is. 

But singles don’t really have to hold an uprising against couples and put a stop to the celebration of Valentine’s Day. 

In fact, the love month should be their month, too, despite the absence of a partner. 

republicasia gathered the perspectives of some Millennials and Gen Zs about being single on this day of love. Here are pieces of advice from them on how to enjoy Valentine’s Day despite being unattached:

Spend the day dating yourself

For Maricris Principe, 37, it is not humiliating if you see other people enjoying a lunch date with a loved one while you are alone at your table. In fact, a self-date is one way of showing kindness and compassion toward yourself after fulfilling your duties.

“Dating yourself should not be looked at from a humiliating point of view. At some point you need to take a break from all your responsibilities and show some love to yourself,” said Principe.

Going on a date with yourself does not have to mean consuming food for two. After all, you have to look after your health as well. A self-date could include going to the mall, or museums, hopping from one cafe to another, reading a book that has been waiting for you on your shelf,  or spending some time with your pets.

Learn new hobbies (find work and life balance)

Even if it’s not Valentine’s Day, learning new hobbies is very important, according to Maurine Dantis, 23. This is because one of the reasons why a lot of people are suffering from burnout is because they are unable to take a break from their work life or their personal life. 

“Some work and personal tasks are truly dragging. That’s why one must learn how to learn some new skills away from what they already know in order to, at least, have a break from one’s daily routine,” Dantis said.

According to her, repeated routines whether work or personal, can be “exhausting.”A much-needed break from these, either through biking, hiking, or even going to a gym to burn some calories, are huge steps to avoid stagnancy.

Treat yourself habitually

Whenever you reach a specific milestone, such as getting a promotion or getting through the day despite being emotionally unstable, treating yourself for a job well done is a much-needed breather. The treat could be your favorite ice cream or a one-hour walk in the park. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You just need to make some time for yourself to remind yourself that all your hard work and efforts matter, and they are being recognized.

Invest in your mental health

“By this time, when most youths are encountering severe emotional health issues, it is high time that they explore their right to access mental healthcare programs,” said Principe.

According to her, this generation should not be bound by the idea that they are single. Many think they are alone when in fact, there is a lot of help that they can access. 

She likewise said that when younger people, single or not, take measures to improve their emotional health, they are “making a significant effort to make their future relationships healthy” since they are prioritizing their emotions. This is a primary factor affecting relationships, after all, she said.

Accept your flaws

Loving yourself does not mean nobody else loves you. Accepting yourself and all your flaws makes you aware of what to improve for yourself and not for anyone.

Dantis said that knowing their flaws will not make them any less of a person. It is a manifestation that they are not allowing other people to dictate how they should be viewed solely because of their imperfections.

“If you are aware of yourself regardless of how people discriminate against or make fun of you, they won’t matter because you know to your core that you are enough. And that’s one way to love yourself and be happy,” she said.

Some people may think they can’t participate in Valentine’s Day if they’re single, but celebrating self-love should count on the 14th. It’s time to celebrate love despite being alone and unattached. It’s time to celebrate you.