Valentine’s Day is often seen as a day to celebrate romantic love, but it’s also a great opportunity to show love to ourselves. In a world that constantly tells us to be better, do more, and achieve more, it’s easy to forget to be kind to ourselves. This Valentine’s Day, let’s make a conscious effort to show love to ourselves by practicing kindness. It’s important to prioritize our own well-being and give ourselves the time and attention we deserve. Self-love allows us to have a healthy and positive relationship with ourselves. When we love and accept ourselves, we are more likely to make choices that are in alignment with our values and beliefs. This type of love is not dependent on anyone else. It is an internal source of validation and happiness, rather than something that is reliant on external factors such as a romantic partner.
10. Place a positive body image notes in jean pockets at a department store
It would be like sending a secret V-Day gift to your crush, who is probably in an unhappy marriage anyway. Give that same energy to someone you don’t know.
9. Return shopping carts for people at the grocery store
It would be like picking up dinner for someone who doesn’t even see you trying and stays glued to their phone while pouring out the wine. Help out that older person you just walked past instead. They will surely notice you.
8. Leave money on a vending machine for someone
We love free things. By leaving money around, you help someone less fortunate feel lucky. Think about it. We can all use a little magic these days.
7. Write a Dear John letter to one of our military members working internationally / Write to an inmate serving out a prison sentence
They are fighting for your freedom so you can be safe, so it is wise to remember them on the day set aside for love. We all need somebody in dark times. Inmates in prison are mainly overlooked when it comes to love.
6. Buy flowers and stand outside of a homeless shelter
You become the special delivery person for someone who is living life as an unhoused person. Being homeless does not mean you are not working. It means we live in a society that requires income for basic human needs like food and shelter.
5. Buy an extra breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Be the hand that feeds someone else. Sharing a good meal with someone can do a lot for their mental health and morale.
4. Write an encouraging message on your social media feed
Giving out positive vibes is just like canceling out negative energy. Be a leader, and instead of writing a comment that is likely to be buried by other comments, try a post. It will make you smile.
3. Galentine’s Day / Bro Day
Love on your friends. They are the ones who love you when you are in search of that romantic partner. The ones you send texts to on those dates. We love to be in love, but we often forfeit the love we already have during the pursuit of sexual love. Just because platonic means non-physical does not mean those relationships shouldn’t be celebrated.
2. Volunteer in a mental health capacity
We can give up our time instead of money. Try a call center. Try an online forum. Seek out people that you can help and help them. Facebook healing groups, YouTube forums, and X spaces are great outlets
1. Recommend someone your favorite book/movie
Sharing insights that are personal and helpful to someone else is great for our egos and our own minds. We all want to feel like an expert to a degree. Sharing what you love instead of bashing what you hate is always a better use of time.
About Tahyira Savanna: Tahyira is a lifestyle journalist and writer. Her interests include human stories and introspection. She interviews everyday people doing their part to make our world a happier place.
Follow her on Twitter @TAsterisk and Instagram @iletthegoodtimesroll
