Be your own Galentine đź’•
BY DANIELLE MUSTARDE
Ah, Valentine’s Day. I’ve already seen three lots of people rushing around, a bunch of roses pressed protectively against their chests, each with a look of mild worry in their eyes – did they only just remember? Have they got more than one Valentine to squeeze into their busy schedule? Or is it just that Valentine’s Day can be a bit of a pain in the 🍑?
Instead of trying to book you and your’s into a restaurant full of people, stuffed with as many couples as heart-shaped balloons, an overly-priced set menu and a distinct air or mild resentment, why not take this evening to treat yourself? To just be. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a relationship, single or somewhere inbetween, these non-Valentine’s-shaped, Valentine’s activities apply to all of the above (just times ’em by two as appropriate).
You’ve ditched the candy hearts and naff gifts, now here’s how you can be your own Galentine đź’•
Cook yourself your favourite meal
Pick up your favourite ingredients on your way home from work, take a shortcut home and make time for yourself to enjoy eating. Or, if you’re a little stuck for time, order in your favourite grub. Did someone say pizza? 🍕
Run yourself a bath. With bubbles. The lot.
Maybe you live in a shared house and haven’t had chance to take advantage of a bath for a while – well book yourself in, and take yourself to bubble town. Top tip: Reading a book in the bath is a skill. A skill not all of us have. Instead, try downloading an audiobook (your first one’s free with Amazon Audible).
…and after a bath, give yourself some self-spa love
Who needs to spend money on a spa, when you can do it all from home? (Well, kinda’). Have your bath – with added bubbles – and treat yourself to the works. It can be as simple as a full body moisturise, or if it’s your thing, do the lot. Paint your nails, stick on a facemask with added cucumber and just let yourself be. That’s true (self) love, right there.
Actually make time to read your favourite book
I have a pile of books sitting on my desk that I’d like to have read by now, but I don’t often make the time to get stuck in. If you’ve followed steps two and three, you’re perfectly primed for this one. Make yourself comfy, pour yourself a glass of wine or brew a huge cup of tea, throw your phone to the other side of the room, and read, read, read…
Binge-watch some netflix. Because, why not?
If you’re already a serial binge-watcher, then skip this part and go straight to 6. On the other hand, if you don’t often allow yourself the pleasure of a cheeky binge-watch, tonight’s the night, baby. Top recommendation? If you haven’t already seen it, (or even if you have) try Black Mirror’s San Junipero episode. Do Valentine’s by celebrating the utterly, bloody beautiful love story that is this episode (and applaud the wonderfully positive representation of its badass bisexual character).
And finally, do that thing you’ve been meaning to do (you know the one)
Whether you’ve been meaning to Skype your pal in Peru, pick up where you left off with learning Italian (vai, vai, vai!), or do something as simple as finally throwing on some fresh bed sheets. DO IT. Make a little list of the simpler, personal things in your life that you’ve been meaning to do, and even if it’s just one or two of the simplest ones (calling your parents, writing a birthday card) do them. Checking off small things can make a big difference.
However you choose to spend today, Happy Galentine’s Day to you, you, you đź’•
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