So here it is again, right when you've gotten over being alone for the holidays, especially that New Year's Eve gig. Here comes Valentine's Day with all the pomp and circumstance of all the other made-up holidays. It's great if you have a sweetheart or even little kids who we teach way too young to send valentines to each other. But what if you're totally single with no special someone and no children? Here are 14 suggestions for you to love yourself today:
1. Buy yourself some flowers and put them on your desk at work. No one has to know that you got them for yourself.
2. Pick out a Valentine card for yourself, one that says exactly what you'd like to hear from a sweetheart.
3. Send out electronic Valentines to friends and relatives. You'll be surprised how many you get back.
4. Make a lunch date with a special friend or relative. Maybe your grandma is lonely today, too.
5. Eat some chocolate for your mid-afternoon snack, preferably dark chocolate because it's good for you.
6. Go to the gym before or after work so you can eat whatever you want today.
7. Invite friends over for Chinese food and a movie. Last time I did this, we watched
Joe and the Volcano with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
8. Don't forget the ice cream for dessert. To take even better care of yourself, there are lots of low-fat or sugar-free ones in the freezer section.
9. Get a massage. If you don't have a regular masseuse, check out massageenvy.com. It's affordable and easy to book an hour at the last minute.
10. Get a manicure and a pedicure, even if it isn't sandal season.
11. Browse the selection of bubble bath at Bath and Body Works and indulge yourself. While you're at it, splurge on a new candle to warm your heart tonight.
12. Go to Oprah.com to find a good book to feed your soul. (Or visit
www.singlewomenaliveandwell.com/swaw.html to get a copy of the book featured here.)
13. Read about the love list in February's
O magazine - a practical way to practice
The Secret.
14. Love yourself. When you truly accept yourself for who you are (not what you are), others will find you more lovable.
If there is any "secret" to life, it's that you have to love yourself first before you can love others. If you do not nurture the special person that you are, you will have nothing to give to others. Way too many of us go through life looking for someone or something to make us feel good, to make us feel loved, when we've had it all along. So rather than go to Pity City, Pop. 1, be good to yourself on this Valentine's Day.
Dianne Lorang is co-editor of SINGLE WOMEN - ALIVE AND WELL!, a collection of true stories by and about women who have learned to be happy and content on their own.