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Having been in relationships over Valentine’s Day for the past 6 or so years, 2011 was a new experience for me.
Knowing that I wasn’t going to wake up with an ‘I love you’ text or any of the customary romantic evening plans affected me a lot more than I wanted to admit. And, although I tried to not let it get to me, the over-commercialism DID.
I wallowed in self-pity for about a week (it didn’t help that V-Day was our anniversary too!), until I called up a friend who managed to slap some sense into me.
“You aren’t alone.”
As simple as that. And it’s the truth. I knew I was surrounded by friends who loved me, and that other people had gone through the exact same thing and survived. I knew I didn’t need that one person to make me feel whole. The only way you can be truly happy, I’ve found, is to be able to love yourself.
Throwing out the bin of tissues and turning off the depressing music, I decided to make the most of what was to come. So I don’t have a boyfriend. Who cares?! I am blessed with great friends (some single, too!) who I love within an inch of my life. Who better to spend the day with?!
So I called up my favourite Mexican restaurant and made a booking for my Lady Date and I.
And boy, was that the best decision I’d ever made. Getting drunk on margaritas and eating greasy food without a care in the world, followed by a trip to town to watch an ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day’ comedy show. Bliss.
In a nutshell
Learning to accept that things aren’t always going to work out the way you want, and that you shouldn’t base your happiness on whether or not you’re seeing someone. Enjoy your own company and appreciate the people in your life with every part of you, because what I’ve discovered is that when the tough times come around, your friends TRULY are the ones who help and guide you through it.
This Valentines? Well, I don’t know about you, but I think a giant bubble-bath and a nice chilled glass of pink bubbly will be just fine, thanks!
What are your plans this Vday?
Knowing that I wasn’t going to wake up with an ‘I love you’ text or any of the customary romantic evening plans affected me a lot more than I wanted to admit. And, although I tried to not let it get to me, the over-commercialism DID.
I wallowed in self-pity for about a week (it didn’t help that V-Day was our anniversary too!), until I called up a friend who managed to slap some sense into me.
“You aren’t alone.”
As simple as that. And it’s the truth. I knew I was surrounded by friends who loved me, and that other people had gone through the exact same thing and survived. I knew I didn’t need that one person to make me feel whole. The only way you can be truly happy, I’ve found, is to be able to love yourself.
Throwing out the bin of tissues and turning off the depressing music, I decided to make the most of what was to come. So I don’t have a boyfriend. Who cares?! I am blessed with great friends (some single, too!) who I love within an inch of my life. Who better to spend the day with?!
So I called up my favourite Mexican restaurant and made a booking for my Lady Date and I.
And boy, was that the best decision I’d ever made. Getting drunk on margaritas and eating greasy food without a care in the world, followed by a trip to town to watch an ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day’ comedy show. Bliss.
In a nutshell
Learning to accept that things aren’t always going to work out the way you want, and that you shouldn’t base your happiness on whether or not you’re seeing someone. Enjoy your own company and appreciate the people in your life with every part of you, because what I’ve discovered is that when the tough times come around, your friends TRULY are the ones who help and guide you through it.
This Valentines? Well, I don’t know about you, but I think a giant bubble-bath and a nice chilled glass of pink bubbly will be just fine, thanks!
What are your plans this Vday?
