As Valentine’s Day comes and goes, the expectations of receiving grand gestures or a heartfelt love confession are always high. Whether you are in a long-term relationship or a new one, are newly single, or have always been, this season can be challenging. The expectations of receiving grand gestures or a heartfelt love confession are high but somewhat unrealistic. The season, combined with social media’s impact, can leave many of us college students who are in awkward situations feeling lonely, so here are some ways in which you can make the most of this lovey-dovey month.
- Have A Day For Yourself.
It is wonderful to show those around us love, but it is equally as important to show it to ourselves. Do the things that make you feel special without relying on anyone. Go get coffee from your favorite coffee shop, go thrifting and find something new, take a walk in an area you love, buy a new book, watch a new movie, or take that “everything” shower you’ve been putting off, etc. The cliche is true: no one knows how you must be loved other than yourself. So, go out and do something that makes you feel the most loved.
2. Make Plans With Your Friends.
Expressing love to others around you can be a beautiful thing, especially while in college. During one year of college, I felt very alone. It turned out that the guy I had a massive crush on decided to go on a date with someone else on Valentine’s Day. It was quite a stab in the back. One of my friends found me on campus later that day, and after I debriefed her on the unfortunate guy situation, we decided to go to the grocery store and make a nice dinner for ourselves in her apartment. As someone who hadn’t received intentional love like that in over a year, it left more of an imprint on me than any romantic interest. Simple things such as a self-care dorm room mani-pedi session, a night out at the movies, or going as a friend group to a fancy restaurant could help the feeling of loneliness all around!
While February is the most popular season to show love to those who are closest in your life, it can leave many of us college students who are in awkward situations feeling lonely. Instead of simply viewing this season in a negative light and allowing it to dictate your feelings, prepare in advance to fight the negativity by doing things that make yourself and those around you feel loved instead.