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Valentine’s Day during a Pandemic

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Valentine’s Day during a Pandemic

It’s February and you know what that means – advertisers trying to sell us more stuff – cards, flowers, wine, gimmicks, experiences and the idea that we are lacking in some way if we don’t have a significant other or have and don’t wish to take part in Valentine’s Day spending.

Are you spending the right amount of time, money or impression on someone or yourself?

Firstly, if you enjoy Valentine’s Day then don’t feel bad – everyone needs love and it is nice to celebrate love. Just celebrate Valentine’s Day in a way that doesn’t cost the Earth, we are living in the 21st century after all!

Secondly, just because you’re in a relationship and it is Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean that you need to take part – if you don’t want to (it’s that simple), just agree with your significant other that it’s not for you. Advertisers shouldn’t get to tell you what the right amount of time or money is to spend on someone or something… be yourself!

Thirdly,  if you are single the world is not going to end on Valentine’s Day. Just because couples celebrate their love doesn’t mean that you have to feel bad.  You might be single by choice and don’t care about the day at all.  Click here for more about how to spend a fab single day .

If you’re single but not by choice and Valentine’s Day is just another reminder of what you’re missing…  celebrate it with friends or treat yourself on the day to a massage or the like. Be nice to yourself – we are supposed to love ourselves before being able to love somebody else – why not start self love on Valentine’s Day?

12 pandemic friendly Valentine’s Day tips

Credit: Annelise Capossela/Axios

2021 is different to anything we have known for decades. We are in the middle of a pandemic and depending on where we are in the world we have to put up with restrictions.  This leads to people feeling isolated, disconnected, overwhelmed, overloaded, some experiencing burnout and everything else under the sun. It is important to look after our physical and emotional health and perhaps Valentine’s Day is a perfect day for self-care:

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost the earth!

  1. a walk or run in the fresh air,
  2. fresh flowers,
  3. fresh food,
  4. fresh smells,
  5. a bath,
  6. a massage,
  7. a yoga or meditation class,
  8. a new book,
  9. a new start,
  10. a new hobby,
  11. a phone or video call with a friend,
  12.  declutter or organise your home ..

… anything else that will make you feel like you are practicing self-care.

And if you love the earth, why not focus on gifts that don’t cost the earth?  Here are

 14 eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts

Banksy mended heart

Why not use the extra time on our hands due to restrictions to get creative and

  1. decorate and handwrite your valentine’s card;
  2. write a love letter;
  3. create a playlist of love songs;
  4. cook your partners favourite meal for a candle lit dinner;
  5. organise a healthy outing;
  6. make your own chocolates or buy organic, local, fair trade and/or vegan chocolates;
  7. choose a lovely spot for a picnic, if you are in lock down, on the floor of your living room, on the balcony or garden if possible..
  8. set up a match for a single friend and have a zoom party;
  9. organise a movie night in and watch Romeo and Julie
  10. show some love for animals: make a donation in your loved one’s name and receive a beautiful gift certificate;
  11. foster an animal from a local shelter;
  12. become a wild life warrior;
  13. buy locally grown instead of imported flowers;
  14. drink organic wine or bubbles.

or mix and match any of the above. Whatever you do, have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

PS. But wait there is more! Here is some further reading: