Valentine’s Day 2021: A Guide If You’re Single or Social Distancing
Our first mid-pandemic Valentine’s Day… how unromantic… or is it? It’s not the ideal situation, but is being single on Valentine’s Day ever an ideal situation? I assure you, it can be! You know, in that empowering, self-love kind of way! Whether we’re happily or resentfully single, entirely anti-commercial holidays, or simply social distancing, February 14th doesn’t need to be just another day, or worse, a regretfully woeful one. There is absolutely no need to wallow and fall into Bridget Jones “All by Myself” territory this year.
Yes, it’s cuffing season—the time from October through March where people crave full-blown relationships, which is onset by the heightened time spent hibernating indoors. This is especially cruel since the pandemic has incited this desire as furiously as it has denied it, but, as 2020’s notable slogan goes, “it’s the new norm.” So, in the spirit of the new norm, which has put everything into perspective for most people, it’s indeed a time to celebrate love. But in spite of the Hallmark-concocted holiday, it’s a time to celebrate self-love, -worth, and -pampering.
Here is a roundup of recommendations on what to do, watch, listen to, and eat this Valentine’s Day—all of which are solo activities or social distance-friendly, sheltered from the harrowing winter. Whether you’re reading this now or the day of, slip into satin pajamas and relax. Plus, Feb. 14, 2021 falling on a Sunday during a pandemic creates the perfect conditions for a pajama day!
What to Do:
Self Care Day
There’s never a wrong time to take care of our minds, bodies, and souls. The struggles brought on by self-isolation have opened the conversation up to mental health and wellness. Since Valentine’s Day is usually plagued by high emotions, staying in tune with ours and relaxing is the perfect wellness treat. Whether we go all out on our skincare routine—face mask (the gooey ones!) and all—or take time to be mindful and meditate, it’s an amazing and rewarding use of our time. Medium writer S. Kaur said, “a sustainable lifestyle [is] built upon a foundation of self-love and self-respect.” So, continue the loving long after Valentine’s Day.
Throw Yourself a Photoshoot
The power of a self-timed photoshoot can often go unrecognized. Celebrating your beauty and being the director and model can be very empowering. Whether it’s a Princess Diana “revenge dress” moment or a cozy pajama shoot, be your own muse. Use this day to be creative, playful, and show off a bit if you choose to share your beauty on Instagram.
Galentine’s Day Paint & Sip
Technically, Galentine’s Day activities are reserved for Feb. 13, but since we’re breaking the rules anyway, go ahead and plan a virtual celebration with your single friends. There are tons of virtual paint and sip classes to partake in. Unleash your inner Frida Kahlo or Georgia O’Keeffe. This creative energy is best paired with your favorite wine in hand and, again, satin pajamas.
Treat Yourself (Materialism, Am I Right?!)
Listen, China got it right with Singles’ Day. The unofficial holiday on Nov. 11—which holds meaning because 11/11 represents four singles—is for people to celebrate their singleness and splurge on themselves. I know, it’s just as commercial as Valentine’s Day, but instead of roses and kitschy heart-shaped boxes, you can buy yourself what you actually want. Plus, when you think of it, there must be some presents you weren’t gifted this past holiday season.
Dance/Work It Out
Moving our bodies is one of the simplest and greatest forms of self-love… when we’re not doing it as a form of punishment. This Valentine’s Day, have a solo dance party or follow along to your favorite YouTube workout. If you really want to get in your feels and get an all-over burn, try MadFit’s “drivers license” full-body dance workout. Speaking from experience, you won’t regret it!
Write Yourself a Love Letter
Just as journaling is a positive outlet for expressing our emotions and maintaining our well-being, writing a love letter to our (future) selves can be just as gratifying. We can write an ode to our favorite qualities, discuss our relationship with ourselves, lay out our greatest desires and plans, etc. Then once we’ve put pen to paper and feel all warm and fuzzy, tuck it away in a safe space to be opened again next Valentine’s Day. Self-love never goes out of style.
What to Watch:
Source: The Cinema Archives
There are several routes we can go down for Valentine’s Day viewing. Let’s get the anti-romance option out of the way first. Sure, we can watch 10 Things I Hate About You, Blue Valentine, Gone Girl, or Fatal Attraction—which, to each their own—or you could watch something that actually makes you feel good. But maybe, the lovey-dovey options are also a bit too much. So, if we don’t want to be as hardcore as Adam Sandler in the Wedding Singer singing “Love Stinks,” or as cutesy as him singing “I Wanna Grow Old With You,” there are more feel-good options.
Consider rewatching your favorite movie or series. Simple! Or have a marathon consisting of the filmography of your favorite actor or celebrity crush. Listen, we like nice things. A young Leonardo DiCaprio on our screen is a treat. And if you’re feeling particularly low or want to maintain your high spirit, pick a motivational TED Talk to watch.
If you’re like me, we’ll be setting time aside to watch the Season 19 premier of “American Idol” on ABC. Let’s be honest, as we watch Katy Perry spew fantastical proclamations, the judge likely won’t be watching along with us when she has the company of her fiancé, Orlando Bloom, and baby, Daisy.
What to Listen To:
Alright, we need to shout out the classic bubblegum tracks like “Love on Top” by Beyoncé, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, and “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction. These should be appreciated and belted all the time, but they’re perfect feel-good songs for Valentine’s Day.
However, music tastes are highly personal and specific, so here are options for all your possible vibes and needs.
If you’re totally enamored by love and want to be in a warm embrace of romance:
If you’re anti-love and just want to yell out lyrics and jump around the house:
If you’re in your feels and need a sad girl moment:
Because the moon will be in Pisces (sensitivity, insecurity, passiveness):
If you need an empowering dance party or intense workout:
What to Eat:
If food is a way to the heart, then Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to nosh on indulgent and decadent treats. I, for one, will be cheffin’ it up and trying Gigi Hadid’s acclaimed Spicy Vodka Pasta (peep the model’s step-by-step guide in her Instagram account’s “FROM MY KITCHEN II” story highlights). A warm bowl of monochromatic food is the way. And to maximize our comfort food cravings, let’s go on and eat all the chocolate we can find.
NYC restaurants will be opening indoor dining at 25% capacity right before Feb. 14, meaning a lot of couples will be swarming the streets. So, if you’d like my opinion—which, if you’ve read this far, then I assume you will—order take-out instead! Going out to a restaurant is an experience that is also pretty liberating when you go solo… but only when you aren’t paranoid the entire time. Cozying up with a delivered pint of lo mein, bowl of French onion soup, or basket of fried chicken at home is a safe way to eat your heart out.
So, this Valentine’s Day, despite the pandemic and despite singledom, take the opportunity to celebrate solo and fall deeper in love with yourself.