Give yourself a break this Valentine's Day
Surely Valentine’s Day will look differently for many this year. As we’re approaching a year of pandemic and social distancing, the pandemic wall hit us all pretty hard. I’ve been feeling it for weeks now, and the only thing not pulling me down completely has been regular outings in nature. Thank God there are so many green spaces and [secluded] places we can go to here, where we can be away from people while enjoying a few hours outdoors.
While the weather has definitely been up and down, the weekends have mostly turned out pretty good, allowing us to spend time outside without being too hot or cold, and that has been making me happy.
Usually, if we manage to get out early enough, we head to the beach, and if we’re a little too slow to move, we head to local parks, where we watch (and photograph) birds, squirrels, and whatever else we find interesting. For us, that has been a nice way of disconnecting from the reality of this ongoing pandemic and brought on a welcomed mental break.
As Valentine’s Day is soon here, many are feeling the pressure to do something special, even though options may be limited this year. If this pressure is stressing you out, give yourself a break - it’s been a tough year, and so many of us have had to take a lot extra on our plates, and some holiday shouldn’t be adding to that.
If you are in a relationship, talk to your partner about your and their expectations, and come to common grounds on how you want to celebrate this day, if at all. That way, you know what your partner needs and you can give them exactly that - it’s how a good partner and relationship works. But mainly, give yourself grace. Give your partner grace. You both survived a pandemic and many other things thrown at you over the past year.
As for us, we will be celebrating at home, just the two of us like we have been for almost a year now - with a good meal, and time spent together.
For the occasion, I did buy myself a gift (I don’t wait on anyone to do that for me) - this pink dress, which on the brand’s site retails for much more. You know that I love a good deal and I could not resist it - I did say I’m into voluminous dresses lately - and this one checked all the boxes. It’s currently en route to me and I can’t wait to get it!
Whether you are in a relationship or not, for this Valentine’s Day, buy yourself a gift, or at the very least, your favorite flowers or roses that will last a year, because, darling, you deserve it!
Whether you celebrate or not, I wish you a happy day nonetheless, and remember to love yourself on any other day just as much as you do on Valentine’s.
Until next time.
xoxo,
Em
