How to Survive Valentine’s Day | Coping With Mental Health
For most of my twenties, I felt like absolute shit come February. I was single, chronically, and did not know how to handle it. I would watch romantic comedies and feel like I was the most undesirable person on the planet. It would take years for me to find self-love and finally be able to say “Go fuck yourself” to Valentine’s Day.
Society has taught us that we have to be loved to love ourselves. Well, folks, I’m here today to say that’s a load of crap. We can love ourselves fully, authentically, and wholeheartedly, and not need to hear it from someone else. Here’s how:
How to Survive Valentine’s Day | A Quick List
Create Your Own Traditions: set an intention for yourself, are you taking yourself out on a date? Are you hanging out with a best friend and celebrating together? Let’s make it memorable people!
Practice gratitude: Take a moment to appreciate the people and things you're grateful for in your life. Reflect on the love and support you receive from friends, family, or colleagues.
Avoid comparison: Remember that social media often portrays an unrealistic or exaggerated version of relationships and experiences. Avoid comparing your own life to what you see online and focus on your own journey.
Treat yourself: Whether you're single or in a relationship, consider treating yourself to something special—a small gift, a delicious treat, or an experience you've been wanting to try.
Reframe the day: Instead of viewing Valentine's Day as a celebration exclusively for couples, reframe it as a day to celebrate love in all its forms—self-love, platonic love, and familial love. (This got me through some dark moments)
Five Ways To Survive Valentine’s Day and Support Your Mental Health Checklist
Tips for Individuals, Families, and Couples in Philadelphia dealing with the lows of Valentine’s Day and a nice checklist for you to copy/paste and print! Plus, we love it when you can add your own flair and special touch to the ideas below:
Valentine's Day can bring about a mix of emotions, whether you're single, in a relationship, or part of a family. Here are five practical strategies to help you keep your mental health in check during this holiday, especially if you’re seeking support through individual, couple, or family therapy in Philadelphia.
1. Remember Self-Care: Treat yourself to activities that bring you joy, whether it's a spa day, a favorite hobby, or relaxing on the couch at home. For individuals, self-care can be a great way to boost self-esteem. Couples and families can also engage in group activities that everyone enjoys, creating a positive and supportive environment together.
2. Open Communication: Share your feelings about Valentine's Day with loved ones who you feel comfortable speaking to—what it means to you and any expectations you may have. This dialogue can foster deeper connections and understanding. Families can also benefit from discussing the holiday and sharing their thoughts on love and relationships and is a great way to involve all generations in the discussion!
3. Understand Realistic Expectations. Life unfortunately can’t always be a movie — the good happy ones, which can lead to disappointment. Individuals should focus on what makes them happy rather than societal pressures. Couples can discuss what they genuinely want from the day, and families can create traditions that reflect that love is shown in different and positive forms.
4. Speak With a Professional: If Valentine's Day brings up difficult emotions, consider reaching out to a therapist. Individual therapy can help you navigate feelings of loneliness or anxiety. Couples therapy can enhance communication and intimacy, while family therapy can assist in addressing any tensions related to the holiday whether parents are still married, divorced, or other family circumstances. Guiding Kindness Therapy specializes in these areas to help you maintain mental well-being so don’t be afraid to reach out!
5. Do Things You Love: For singles, this might involve spending time with friends or engaging in community activities (hello, volunteering)! Couples might plan an adventure together, while families can organize a fun outing or game night. These positive experiences can help shift focus from any negative feelings associated with the day.
Individuals, couples, and families in Philadelphia can proactively focus on their mental wellness during Valentine's Day. Whether seeking individual therapy, couples therapy or family therapy here on The Main Line, remember that taking care of your mental health is a vital part of loving yourself and those around you and we are here to help. Our specialties focus on trauma therapy, play and art therapy, and EMDR therapy modalities here at Guiding Kindness Therapy. We support our Bala Cynwyd community as well as our Philadelphia area clients. Virtual appointments are available for all residents of Pennsylvania.
Love comes in all forms, maybe in a pet, a friend, or a family member. Remember that one of the most important loves we can have is the love we have for ourselves.
