self-love on the day of love!
Every year, February 14th rolls around, and it can either be a time of great joy and tenderness or a reminder for some of how lonely they may feel. However, it doesn't have to be that way! Valentine’s Day wasn’t exactly created to be celebrated the way it is today. It dates back to 496 A.D. when Pope Gelasius I established the Feast of Saint Valentine. While there are many religious origins associated with the holiday, it is now widely celebrated across the world as a day to honor the strongest force on earth: love.
While Valentine’s Day may have started as a feast centuries ago, it still centered around something very important—unity. A time for people to come together and harness the power of human connection in the form of love. Undoubtedly, the day has expanded into different forms of celebration today, but I think that's what makes it so beautiful and sacred. It embodies the different ways people choose to express love, letting those around them know how much they mean to them or exuding self-love. Something about the widely celebrated holiday reminds me of how sincere we can be as human beings and how deeply we feel.
Personally, I love to put on my brightest pink or red top and watch others on the street do the same. I love receiving a "Happy Valentine’s Day!" from kind strangers or, if you live in a city like NYC, walking down the street and randomly receiving a rose. The level of serotonin small moments like those bring is priceless. Whether it's through flowers (my personal favorite), date nights, gifts, poems, words of affirmation, or acts of service, Valentine’s Day allows us to reflect on the divine gift of love and connection.
Now, while Valentine’s Day may feel like that for some people, that’s not the case for everyone. For many, Valentine’s Day may serve as a reminder of a lack of connection, making it a difficult day that amplifies feelings of loneliness. However, it doesn't have to be that way! I understand— not having a significant other, close friends, or family members in your life can be hard. But it’s also a reminder that nobody can love you the way you love yourself. Ultimately, when all is said and done, the person you’re left with at the end of the day is YOU. That’s why it’s important to cultivate self-care year-round, especially on a day like Valentine’s Day, which is dedicated to the power of love.
One thing I’d love to make clear is that we don’t need a day to remind us to spread love. We should be doing that every day and embedding love in much of what we do whenever we can. Not only will it make you feel good, but it could make all the difference in somebody else’s life. Always tell the people in your life how much you love them—and do the same for yourself. Here are some V-Day self-care essentials and self-love practices that can help you, not just on this special day, but throughout your life, to celebrate the beautiful, loving, one-of-a-kind person that is YOU!
Make Yourself Dinner:
There are countless fun recipes to make on a day like Valentine’s Day! My personal favorite is Rigatoni alla Vodka. It’s super easy, always good, and the perfect source of comfort. Here's a fun simple recipe:
Journal:
Remember that romance can and should be reserved for yourself as much as it is shared. Write yourself a love letter, or maybe express how you hope your future Valentine’s Days will look. Or write a letter to someone else from your heart. Either way, take some time to reflect and let your emotions and thoughts pour onto the paper. This is a perfect way to practice mindfulness and something you can look back on whenever you need to.
Take a bath:
If you have a bathtub or just a tub, take a relaxing bath. Try some calming salts, a bath bomb, or bubbles. Soak & relax.
Fulfill that craving:
Yes—you deserve that sweet treat. Eat it. Make it! I feel like everyone’s go-to is chocolate-covered strawberries, which never disappoint. Crumbl also has a strawberry cake with strawberry sweet cream frosting this week that is to die for! I also love making Molten Lava Cake with vanilla ice cream on the side. (I’ve attached a recipe below.) Whatever it may be, sometimes indulging in a sweet treat gives us the comfort we need.
Treat Yourself:
Take yourself on a date! I love to get dressed up and spend time with myself. Make a reservation anywhere and go! I know it can feel awkward, but you may meet some cool people at the restaurant—or even if you don’t, you’re already on the best date of your life: with yourself. Sit there, enjoy your meal, let your thoughts ruminate, and just be. It may feel like everyone is staring at you (trust me, from experience—they’re not), so just enjoy your own company.
Treating yourself could also mean going shopping, buying the thing you’ve always wanted, or opening that bottle of champagne you’ve been saving for a “special occasion.” Whatever that looks like for you—please yourself!
Breathe life into yourself:
Do just that. You are such an amazing soul with so much ahead of you! Life will continue to reward you, and while you wait for those gifts, be sure to always give yourself grace. Try your best to quiet that inner critic through these mindful practices and allow yourself to see how perfect you are.
Whether you have plans with a romantic partner, a situationship, or yourself, remember that self-love should be at the center of all your relationships—but most importantly, the relationship with yourself.
From everyone at The Berry Collective, Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope it's a day full of joy and love.
Be Well,
Yelena Mongbet
