There are two specific examples of people on Valentine’s Day: sitting on the couch with a bowl of ice cream mourning over lovey-dovey posts from other couples, or kicking your feet wondering what your partner is gifting you this year. Whether you are in a relationship or not, Valentine’s Day can celebrate love in many different ways.  

This holiday can set the mood of making people feel lonesome while seeing others in happy relationships. After all, third-wheeling does get old over time. You feel so “unwanted” or “incapable of love,” but what happened to focusing on your self-worth? Valentine’s Day is not limited to couples only, and it is a great excuse to spread a little extra love to anyone. 

If you are single this year, here are some ways to prevent yourself from being on the couch with a bowl of ice cream: have a Galentine’s party with your girlfriends, treat yourself to flowers and a box of chocolates or emphasize your love to friends and family through words of affirmation. Remember, being single does not define who you are and it should not make you feel less appreciated. Cue “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé, starting now. 

To the people who are in relationships, Valentine’s Day is a special time to show appreciation to your partner. There is no better way to spend Valentine’s Day than by going out for a nice dinner or even just staying in to binge-watch movies. There are a lot of options to ensure the perfect gift on Valentine’s Day. The traditional route of gift giving on Valentine’s Day includes flowers, chocolate or maybe even a cute teddy bear with a heart on it— you know exactly which one I am talking about. If you really want to up your game on gift giving this year, the most meaningful gifts overall would simply be handwritten letters or a personalized gift, making it more personable to you and your partner. 

Let’s be real though— there is a difference between just being in a relationship versus being in a healthy relationship. It is very exciting to show love through gift giving and receiving them in return, but Valentine’s Day also gives the opportunity to reflect on why you are truly with your partner. It is important to acknowledge and prioritize a healthy relationship because no one deserves to be mistreated or stuck in an unhealthy relationship. If you or someone else is experiencing any signs of feeling controlled, intimidated, disrespected or abused, there are resources to help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-723 or visiting their website.Valentine’s Day is fun to celebrate, but do not forget to check on your friends and take accountability for your own self. 

In the end, everyone will eventually find their “Happily Ever After,” and this can be anything you want it to be. There is a high chance of enjoying ice cream on Valentine’s Day, but hopefully not while mourning. I guess the better option for some of us is to stay off our phones this Valentine’s Day. 

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.