How To Be Your Own Valentine

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th to honor St. Valentine, a 3rd-century Roman
martyr, while combining ancient fertility rituals like Lupercalia with romantic traditions. It
evolved from honoring a priest who performed secret marriages into a day for expressing love,
popularized by medieval poets like Chaucer and modern commercialism.

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the West with the giving and receiving of gifts with one’s
romantic interests, often items like flowers, chocolate, and other treats. That can be a lot of
fun, but at the end of the day, the person we’ll always have in our corner is ourselves. This
Valentine’s Day, remember to love yourself and treat yourself as someone you love.

Here are some ideas:
− Create a self-love session. Plan a home spa day, take a long bath, or get a massage.
− Spend time doing a hobby you love, like a sport, painting, or gardening.
− Take yourself on outings like a movie, a bookstore, or dine at your favorite restaurant.
− Buy yourself flowers, chocolate, or a gift you’ve wanted.
− Practice emotional care. Write a love letter to yourself, practice positive mirror
affirmations, and set firm boundaries that protect your peace.
Here are some mindsets to try this Valentine’s time:
− Reframe alone time as solo time. Focus on the freedom to do exactly what you want.
− Acknowledge your value. Recognize your own worth and celebrate your personal daily
victories.
− Be your own best friend. Prioritize your needs and speak kindly to yourself.
Being your own Valentine is a practice of recognizing that your relationship with yourself is the
most important one. For help discovering ways to love yourself, write to us on our website or
call (585) 442-6960.