By Kate Harveston | Posted: February 11, 2020

Are you flying solo this Valentine's Day? There's no need to abandon the holiday altogether. Like Whitney Houston once sang, learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. 

You don't need a partner to make the most of Valentine’s Day. You can celebrate self-love every day in dozens of ways. 

Spend the day honoring yourself and make your personal Valentine's Day celebration extraordinary with the following ideas! Whether you want to design an ideal homage to self-love without spending a dime, or feel like splurging a little, you’re sure to find something that suits you.

1. Take a spontaneous trip

When was the last time you had a holiday? Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year. If you can't afford to take a full day off, why not arrange to leave work an hour early and hit the road? 

One of the perks of traveling alone is that you can go wherever you please and stop where you want. Pretend you're a tourist in your hometown and hit up all the museums you pass but have never stepped foot into before. Hang a roadmap on the wall and throw a dart — whatever town you hit is your region to explore for the weekend. 

2. Do a home spa day

If you have a bankroll, you can drop a bundle on a day spa — why not? However, if your budget is tight, break out your candles and essential oils and make a spa day at home. 

One of the most nourishing self-care rituals of the ancient art and science of Ayurveda is Abhyanga, or self-massage. All it takes is 15 minutes to find some bliss. 

You can also make a stimulating massage oil with some lemongrass or chamomile essential oil and a coconut oil base. Lemongrass promotes healthy blood circulation, so if your job requires you to stand for long periods, ease your aching feet and calves with a self-massage. Before your massage, try adding a cheesecloth bag full of the herbs in your bath and submerge yourself in relief. 

3. Cook a gourmet meal

Who said you have to get dolled up to go out to eat? If you don't feel like doing the dishes, go ahead and take yourself out to your favorite spot. However, if you want to show off your culinary expertise, get yourself in the kitchen. 

Everybody needs to eat, whether they have a partner or not. Cooking a gourmet meal demonstrates self-love by showing you care about yourself too much to grab any old snack to tame your tummy tiger. You can whip up a nourishing and delicious dinner that you won't have to share with anyone else!

4. Design a personal movie marathon

Flying solo means never having to share the remote control. Why not curl up in your comfy pants with your kitties and treat yourself to a movie marathon? It doesn't matter if you're a horror freak or an unabashed fantasy nerd. Make a hot batch of popcorn and kick back to enjoy the show. 

5. Spend some time in nature

If you're feeling depressed about being alone this holiday, boost your mood by getting moving in the great outdoors. Researchers discovered a link between open air and happiness, and exercise boosts endorphins, natural feel-good chemicals in the body, too. 

Take a hike in gorgeous surroundings or take a jog around the grounds of a local museum. You'll feel more positive when you finish. 

6. Lose yourself in a novel

When was the last time you curled up with an engrossing book? If it's been a while, why not set aside a few hours to dig into that new tome gathering dust on your shelf? If you're unsure what to read, visit your local library to pick out a new book for free. 

7. Catch up on Your zzz's

Winter can wear you down, and you might feel more tired than usual. While you want to maintain stable sleep hygiene by going to bed and rising at approximately the same time, no one ever said you can't enjoy a nap. Tune in to a free guided meditation video online and relax. Lose yourself in mindfulness, and, if you drift off to sleep afterward, all the better. 

Enjoy Valentine's Day solo

You don't need a partner or a wad of cash to enjoy Valentine's Day. Draw inspiration from our tips and make the day a tribute to self-care!

Kate Harveston writes about wellness and mental health. If you enjoy her work, you can visit her women’s health blog, So Well, So Woman. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.