The Day of Love: Tips to Push Through

It’s officially Cupid season, and there are a whirlpool of feelings all around. As heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and that vibrant bouquet fly off the shelves, people around the country are experiencing extreme amounts of joy as they receive gifts and appreciation from a partner, their friends, and their family. Valentine's Day is a day of love, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic love being appreciated. Even though that’s the case, many feel left out or experience sadness on this day for not having the romantic relationship that is prominently celebrated on February 14th of every year. Whether or not you feel joy or jealousy on this day, it’s important to know some ways you can get through some possible downing feelings as the day goes by.

1) Appreciate Yourself: While appreciating the love you have for others is what this day is about, you can’t forget about the person that you should appreciate the most in this world. The person who has gotten you through the 365 days of the year every year, making sure you are getting what you deserve and making yourself proud. Allow yourself to do something you’ve been wanting to do for a while, whether that’s going to watch a blockbuster movie you want to see or getting yourself a snack to enjoy. Every day, you go through life with all its hits and punches, so make sure you not only appreciate the love in your life with others but also appreciate and love yourself.

2) Invest in your Relationships: Everyone has loved ones that they care about, whether it’s parents, guardians, siblings, cousins, a mentor of some sort, or close friendships. Take the time to do something nice for those who you spend time with, investing in those cherished relationships. You could do this by buying them a special gift, going to do something special with them, or just expressing your gratitude for having them in your life.

3) Practice Mindfulness: The stereotype that valentine's day is about couples can make people feel isolated and left out, so it’s important to prioritize your mental health. Write how you feel in a diary/journal, walk away from a situation or people that make you feel bad or left out, or talk about how you feel to someone you trust. Treat yourself the way you need to be treated to be okay, ensuring that you make the most out of your day.

4) Avoid Socials: Social media is a place where those express themselves, so don’t be surprised when you see posts on posts or stories upon stories celebrating Valentine's Day with their romantic partner. If this bothers you, take a day away from social media. When you unplug from all of those negative stimuli and replace them with other activities for the day, like mobile games, a good book, or time to appreciate nature. The media is an instigator of jealousy, take a step away and watch your FOMO disintegrate.

5) Seek Support: Sometimes all the tips and tricks in the world can’t make you feel better. If you need to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, make use of the support systems in your life. Go see your counselor, talk to a trusted loved one, or use a talk line to talk about your troubles with someone anonymous.

Even though Valentine’s Day is a day celebrating love, the main idea of it all is to feel special from all the love around you. As we embark on these next 24 hours, and even just every day moving forward, let’s make sure to prioritize our own wellbeing as well as appreciate the love around us.

- Karisma