Whether youre single and satisfied this Valentines Day or celebrating with someone you adore, here are a few ideas for getting the most out of your holiday.
For all the single ladies:
A recent survey of folks who were single, separated, divorced or widowed found that between 50 and 60 percent thought it was no big deal to be alone on Valentines Day. In other words, ignoring all the hubbub is perfectly normal unless, of course, you truly enjoy the day. If youre on your own:
Write a love letter to yourself. Compose a poem, pen an essay, create a song you can even say it with haiku. The point is to take stock of all of the wonderful things you love about yourself. Declare your unconditional support and acceptance of all of your quirks and great qualities. Use lovely stationary, tuck it into an envelope and take a look whenever you need a boost.
Spend it with the women you love. Lets face it, Valentines Day is a great excuse to party. Whether you gather your best girls and go out on the town or invite them over for a feast, be sure the night includes some really delectable chocolate and a little champagne.
For partners seeking passion:
Careers, kids, aging parents, even housework can eat away at the precious moments couples spend thinking about romance. To re-ignite the flame, begin by declaring a Valentines Day date night; an evening completely devoted to the pleasure of being together.
Bare your soul. Long-term couples or spouses often stop talking to each other about the things that really matter to them, so open up. Share your hopes and dreams, or perhaps build a new dream together. Its a great way to renew your interest in each other.
Break out. Celebrate the holiday with a weekend adventure. If youre in the Northeast, its great time to learn cross-country skiing or snowboarding. If youre lucky enough to have warm weather this time of year, explore an unknown hiking trail. The idea is to drop your routine and discover something new together. Exploring life as a team reaffirms your connection to each other and fans the flames of romance.
Be nice. Kindness is the foundation of every truly happy relationship, so tuck away the tiny criticisms, snarky remarks and the tendency to take each other for granted that can creep up on couples over time.