Nearly half of American adults over 18 are single.
And, most love it … until Valentine’s Day comes.
If you search the term “Valentine’s Day depression” on YouTube, it yields 35 million results.
Between the 17 million Americans affected by clinical depression and seasonal winter blues, the idea of spending a holiday centered on love and romance alone leaves many feeling gloomy.
For the busy, career woman with little time for dating this can be especially true.
“I often work with women who struggle with the reality of being single and/or dateless on Valentine’s Day,” says licensed psychotherapist Keri Lola of Path to Grow, LLC.
“Our couple-centric culture tends to leave singles feeling less-than, unworthy or unloveable.”
But, that shouldn’t be so. No, no, no!
“Your most important relationship is with yourself,” says Harvard Relationship Expert and Licensed Psychotherapist Holly Parker.
“So often people treat others better than themselves,” she adds.
“Start changing this by making a list of three things that you would do for someone else who you really cared about on Valentine’s Day. Select at least one of these and do the same thing for yourself,” suggests Parker.
“Own yourself! Make a list of all of the compliments and positive observations about you that anyone has ever said to you, even if you dismissed them at the time. Consider which ones you do and do not give yourself credit for; then select at least one you dismissed.”
Parker also recommends crossing an item off of your bucket list.
“Do something you’ve really wanted to do,” she says. “Inject adventure for Valentine’s Day. Always wanted to learn a new language? Enroll in a class or buy Rosetta Stone and get started. Always wanted a visit a local town? Research it on Google and drive there.”
Bonus PINK Link: Five Popular Dating Tips That Don’t (Always) Apply to Single, Successful Women.
How do you celebrate self-love?
By L. Nicole Williams
Nicole is the Editor at Little PINK Book. Follow her on Twitter @williamsnicolel.
“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.” Louise L. Hay
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