How to Practice Self-Love This Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day can be hard on single people as well as those in difficult relationships. This year, we want to focus on self-love, what it means, and how to practice self-love through acts of self-love, mindfulness, outdoor exploration, and other solo activities.

What is Self-Love and Why is Self-Love Important?

In short, self-love means accepting yourself fully, treating yourself with kindness and respect, and nurturing your own growth and wellbeing while keeping in mind that the most important relationship is the one we have with ourselves. At some points of the year, however, often during holidays like Valentine’s Day, self-love becomes more challenging to achieve because so much focus in society is placed on being with a partner and receiving love, gifts, and kindness from others. We see this on TV, in advertising, and through signs that are both subtle and overt throughout popular culture. Of course, not everyone feels the need to be in a relationship, but everyone can benefit from mindfulness, acts of self-love, and learning why self-love is important. Wellness experts agree that acts of self-love, developing a love of the outdoors, and solo travel are ways to help lower anxiety and increase resiliency. Here are ways to practice self-love this Valentine’s Day.

Write Poetry

Sometimes, turning inward to reflect on your best qualities can help you practice self-love on Valentine’s Day, or any day that you need more love in your life. When you write poetry, either in verse or a prose poem, you may unearth feelings and emotions that don’t have an easy way out during a normal day that is filled with roles and responsibilities. Writ-ing self-love poetry could become one of the Valentine’s Day activities that you repeat regularly, to stay in tune with yourself and your feelings.

Give Yourself Valentine’s Day Self-Love Gifts

It’s unclear if retail therapy is a way to cure what ails you, but self-love gifts could be one way to care for yourself this Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s a spa pedicure at a local nail salon, a bouquet of fresh flowers that you put in a vase by your bedside, a box of fine dark chocolate to indulge in, going to a movie by yourself, or a double-scoop ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles — no matter what you decide on, giving yourself self-love gifts is one simple way to shower yourself with love.

The Gift of Solo Travel

Not sure how to travel solo or where to travel solo? It can be rewarding and reflective to hit the road on your own, to have experiences, to make memories, and to see a new part of the world. Of course, women sadly have to take extra precautions and consider some things that male solo travelers like me don’t have to think about too often whether that’s while camping solo as a woman or traveling into a big city. But this doesn’t mean the gift of solo travel shouldn't be given. You will love the independence and experience of relying on yourself, your wit, thoughts, and intuition to plan, book, and have a solo vacation.

Take a Hike

You don’t have to be an explorer to have a love of the outdoors and enjoy some outdoor exploration. Taking a hike in the woods or just around a local park is a great way to practice not only mindfulness but also self-care and self-love. Here are 14 awesome things to do outside in nature by yourself this Valentine’s Day.

Go Fishing

When it comes to mindfulness and finding peace in a busy, loud, and sometimes disturbing world, as well as showing yourself grace and love, spending a quiet morning by a body of water, fishing from a boat, or on a solo fishing trip is a beautiful way to practice self-love. Celebrate your love for fishing and your love for yourself this Valentine’s Day with a fishing rod on your hands!

Soak in Bubbles

Buy yourself a bath pillow, light some candles, toss in a colorful bath bomb or some lavender-scented bubble bath, and unwind in the tub while listening to some music, a fun podcast, or simply thinking how nice it is to be able to relax in the quiet solitude of your bathtub.

Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Taking a special someone fishing or boating is statistically proven to make someone fall for you hook, line, and sinker!