Having Fun Alone on Valentines Day
By Zenia Rehan
February 13, 2024
With all the couples and friend groups constantly posting on social media, being alone on Valentine’s Day can feel gloomy – but it doesn’t have to. As a teenager realizing how real FOMO is, I think it is very important to value alone time and learn to have fun by yourself. This fear of missing out often means that we are constantly chasing opportunities to hang out with friends so we don’t have to see people doing stuff without us on Instagram.
For me, it is often hard to get myself to do anything if I don’t have someone to do it with me, but the reality is, not only can you do things by yourself, but it can actually improve your mental health in the process. You can go on a walk by yourself. You can have the best time singing karaoke by yourself. You can visit a cute café by yourself. So this Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to have a date with yourself.
Of course, this is easier said than done, but here are a few tips and ideas:
Set a period of time: Just as you would if you were with someone, do not schedule things during your date. If you have plans, you have plans.
Choose an activity that centers self care: Only you know what is best for you, so spend time resetting yourself with your chosen activities. For example, go shopping: retail therapy is real.
Go out: Visit somewhere you have always wanted to visit, like a café or a garden.
Stay in: Get comfy in your PJs, do your skin care, and binge watch your favorite TV show, or read your favorite book with some takeout.
Go full out: If you want to put up decorations, do it! Bake that Pinterest worthy cake, dress up, play your favorite music, and take as many pictures as you want. No one has to see it all for your fun to be valid, you can put work into your alone time just to make yourself feel good.
Take a break from social media: sometimes we can get caught up watching what everyone else is doing on social media, emphasizing this feeling of FOMO. Try to detox and focus on what you are doing instead of what the people around you are doing.
These are just a few ideas and there are so many other cool things you could spend your time doing. I hope you were inspired to do something for yourself this Valentine’s Day (or really any day you are feeling lonely) and have some fun!
About the author:
Zenia Rehan (she/her) is a high school sophomore in the Bay Area who is passionate about addressing the increasing mental health hardships faced by today’s youth. She believes in social media’s potential to be a catalyst in improving mental wellbeing, despite its present unhealthy uses.