Let’s address the elephant in the room first. It’s February and we’re still in a pandemic. Fucking hell. I’m sure we were all wishing that we’d be back to some sort of normality by Valentine’s Day; regardless of our relationship status but alas, here we are. Today I want to share some solo date ideas for Valentine’s Day this year and convince you that loving YO’SELF is the most important thing you can do.
Photo by Ellieelien on Unsplash
Self love doesn’t come easily to me. Neither did spending time alone until last year when I basically couldn’t spend ANY time alone and I really struggled with it. At the beginning of 2020, I took myself on my first ever solo cinema date and I also had a solo staycation booked for April. Of course the staycation didn’t happen but learning to love myself and love spending TIME with myself is something that has become hugely important to me.
Related read: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2021
Valentine’s Day; typically associated with couples. Mostly cis couples at that. Flowers, chocolates and a fancy dinner in Nando’s. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate Valentine’s Day nor have any problem with those that celebrate it every year. My boyfriend and I don’t celebrate it ourselves but that’s our choice. But I think the emphasis on love around this time of year can certainly be extended to the love we have for ourselves.
Related read: 20 Ways To Practice Self Love
Something that I’m going to make a point of doing this year is having a date night with myself. If you’re rolling your eyes at that, that’s cool. It can sound a bit cuckoo to some. But for others it could be the very first step to practicing self love on a deeper level and learning to love spending time with yourself. Let’s face it, the only person you’re going to be spending the rest of your life with is you. You might as well get used to it. These solo date ideas will help you get more comfortable with prioritizing time with yourself!
So today I want to share with you some solo date ideas that you can have with your beautiful self this Valentine’s Day (or any day!)
Have an at home spa evening
Probably the most obvious option but now is a GREAT time to have a full-on spa evening with all the bells and whistles. Think all your favourite products, bath bombs, a glass of bubbly, lotions and potions, nail painting, exfoliating – the LOT. I love doing this occasionally and it always feels like such a huge treat.
Cook your favourite 3 course meal from scratch
I love this one because cooking can be really soothing and a real act of self love and self care. 2020 really made me more interested in cooking and throwing ingredients together to see what I could come up with. But as this is a special occasion (and YES, a solo date is a special occasion) it might be nicer to indulge in all your favourites. Lay the table, print a menu, put on some candles – go all out.
Or order your favourite takeaway for a cozy solo date night in
Can’t be arsed to cook? No problem. This one will be more up your street! When my boyfriend used to go out after work occasionally (does anyone actually remember what it felt like to properly “go out”?) I’d make a point of having a proper lovely night in with myself. I’d stick on my favourite TV show (usually One Tree Hill), order my favourite takeaway (usually sushi), pour myself a drink and just have a bloody lovely night in.
Do an intention setting ritual and gain clarity
I have a whole eBook / workbook in my freebie library to help with this one! If you want to check out my End of the Month Ritual in the freebie library below (just sign up to my mailing list for instant access to ALL my freebies) that will take you through a beautiful ritual I like to do every month which includes releasing things that aren’t serving you, reflecting and intention setting. I adore this ritual and of course, you can do it at ANY time.
Spend the day doing all your favourite things
If you have the luxury of dedicating an ENTIRE DAY to yourself then you really should. There’s nothing nicer than spending a whole day doing everything you love. Block out a day in your calendar and tell your family or whoever you live with not to disturb you. You should never feel guilty about putting yourself first. And make a mega list of all the things you love that you want to do that day; read, go for a walk, play Red Dead Redemption for 8 hours.
[…] to do that because it’s just you and the film. You go on dates with your boyfriend, why not take yourself on a date […]
Nice post. Lovely solo date ideas, these are things I’ll love to do. Happy Valentine’s day.
Thank you 🙂 x
Love these ideas so much! I keep sneaking off for a bubble bath just for some time where I can read uninterrupted and not have to think about anything else. We should definitely treat ourselves like we do with others! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Haha same! I did that last night just for some peace and quiet with no one talking to me!
I’ve spend so many valentine’s Day single and alone so I felt this! Having a home spa day is such a good idea, and I love that you included blogging on this too x
Home spa days are for everyone!
I loved these ideas for a single Valentine’s Day, Jenny! I’ll definitely be ordering a takeaway and relaxing on my own this year 🙂 x
Sounds perfect!
These are all such cute ideas, I feel like there’s so much pressure to be in a perfect relationship with someone but it’s so important to also be kind to yourself 🤍
It sure is!
A big yes to all of this! A few years ago when I was single I spent Valentine’s Day by myself and had the BEST day. I had a bubble bath and drank a mimosa while listening to my favourite music, had dinner and watched films and it was lovely. I’m so bad at taking time out to just relax these days so I should probably take this advice for self-love time! Thank you for sharing!
Oh my gosh that sounds absolutely perfect!
These are such good ideas! My boyfriend has been staying with me since August due to the lockdowns and tier restrictions, so we’ll be doing something together this year. BUT this is exactly what I’ve done for the last couple years of being single and, honestly? It was the best thing I ever did!
I’m not surprised! Although you can definitely do all these things anyway – I’m going to have a solo date with myself regardless of my boyfriend being here hehe!
Carving out time for myself is something that I know is really important, yet at the same time I never seem to be able to persuade myself to actually do it. There are some great suggestions here – never thought about cooking a full meal like that just for myself, but love that idea. Definitely blocking out the calendar now!
Oh I really hope you do carve out that time for yourself. You so deserve it!
I’m so here for a pamper routine and a takeaway! These are great ideas
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
I can’t wait!
I love this suggestions, I will be single on Valentine’s Day this years. I am planning to have a takeaway and watch a movie on Netflix for Valentine’s day. Even thinking about getting some strawberries and other things. Thank you for sharing.
goalofhappiness.com
That sounds absolutely perfect!
These are great suggestions. Especially cool a three course meal, that would be so fun.
It sure would!
Oh Jenny I love this post ❤️ I would not have thought of things like this but the ritual setting and day to do what you love sound amazing 🤩
Sure do! I have a full ritual guide in my freebie library!
I’ll probably spend Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend, but I’m going to do things like this tonight to relax! Especially ordering in and doing some skincare and soul searching probably!
There’s never a wrong day to do things like this!
I love this! I have a girlfriend but die to lockdown we can’t see each other! I like the last idea of spending the day doing all my favourite things! I think that’s the one I’m gonna go with, have all the foods I like, read my fave books and watch my fave films! Throw in some self pampering and all of that! Great wee post ☺️
That sounds perfect, especially if you can’t see your girlfriend on V. Day!
Yes! I have a partner but I’m doing things for myself for sure! I’m going to get some treats and coffee to enjoy as well as go for a nice long walk weather permitting! At night, we’ll have dinner together and maybe a movie or two! Getting take out would be lovely but I’m really looking forward to cooking something new haha x
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Sounds like the perfect day!
This is such a great post and love that it is focused on those spending the holiday solo ♥️ A lot of single people feel really down and lonely on V-day not realizing that it is an opportunity to turn up the notch on self-love. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely! There’s never a wrong time to turn up the self love volume!
Spending the day doing nothing but the things I love , yes ! Thank you for the great idea!
You’re welcome!
Great ideas, I definitely agree that we should also treat ourselves even if we not in a relationship. I like the spa idea and the vibes and relaxing in the evening.
Totally agree. Everyone should treat themselves, relationship or not!
This is such a lovely post as not everyone can be with loved ones at the moment. I might treat myself to an alone Valentine’s Day most weeks haha
https://www.wooloftheking.com/
Haha you know what, I’d like to as well!
I’m loving your idea to make solo dates into a blog post! Not everyone feels safe going out during the pandemic, and not everyone wants to date. It’s good to feel included!
Ang | https://loseweightwithang.com
Thank you 🙂 And most of us literally have nowhere to go either!
I loved this! I’ve never really been a big Valentines fan even when I was in a relationship. Great ideas – I especially love the cooking the fave meal from scratch one xx
Thank you 🙂 Neither have I really tbh! But there’s always an opportunity to make it a nice day!
I loved this!! Cooking your favourite 3 course meal from scratch is such a great idea. I always find cooking just for myself super relaxing (cooking for other people is so stressful!) so that’s definitely something I’d do on a solo date 🙂 x
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Oh same! I loveee cooking myself dinner!
I love this! I feel like we spend so much time showing love and care to those in our lives like our partners, friends and family, but we forget about the importance of loving ourselves as well. I am married, however, I still want to take a day and enjoy a solo date sometime in the next couple of weeks! After all, the importance of self love doesn’t end when you say I Do… This is a post that everyone can use.
I totally agree. I’m in a long term relationship but I need my solo time too!
I love the idea of a home spa day. I’ve really wanted to do a spa evening with my husband lately, but it’s finding the time. I might try and arrange a night next week with the spa idea!
Sounds like a great idea!
I think I’m definitely going to go have lunch near the beach, buy myself some flowers & then finish it all off with an at home pamper day ! Sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day to me lol !
Great post, Jenny !
I so wish I lived near the beach, that sounds perfect!
There’s nothing more important than taking time for ourselves, I especially love having at home pamper evenings! I love your idea of cooking a three course meal from scratch too x
There really isn’t, I agree!
I think these area all great ideas to treat yourself – but I think I’d like to do this monthly and not just in February! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh same, I want to do this like, every week!
After reading your post, I decided to go for cooking a 3-course meal with my hubby. It’s a good way to celebrate valentines day together during the lockdown.
Glad to give you some inspiration!
I really like the intention setting one out of these. I’ve been doing solo dates for as long as I can remember, but this one is something I haven’t done yet. Thank you for sharing such a great list! x
I have a full intention setting ritual guide in my freebie library!
I love these ideas! I don’t personally do valentines day but these sound like great things to do! I think I will have to take on some of these! The day is about love so love yourself!
I think you can do any of these at any time!
I love all these ideas! Especially cooking your favorite meal from scratch! I love to cook so I would definitely do that!
Yesss! I love cooking too.
Love these ideas Jenny, ive got a blog post coming soon about a at home spa night and i think thats such a good idea! Cooking a 3 course meal for yourself sounds so good as well!
Thank you 🙂 Love a spa night!
Yes, it’s a day to love ourselves, I love that! It’s my Mam’s birthday on Valentine’s Day so I’ll order us a takeaway and chill out in front of the TV. I love these solo date ideas Jenny! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Sounds absolutely perfect!
These are all great ideas! I love the idea of having a solo date, we never appreciate time with ourselves enough. I think I will settle for a nice take away and loads of reading! Thanks for sharing x
We really don’t. I’ve come to adore spending time with myself.
Aw these are such cute ideas 🙂 thank you for sharing, I think having a takeaway in is the perfect way to treat yourself during this difficult time x
Thank you 🙂 I agree, a takeaway always cheers me up!
self love is definitely important specially on an occasion like Valentine’s Day when a lot of people who celebrate it are couples.
It sure is!
Love these ideas, my friend and I have decided to watch a chick flick on V Day – I might even paint my nails xx
Caroline | https://envirolineblog.com/
Sounds lovely!
I love these ideas. I feel like I need to make more time for this sort of self care this year. I just get so wrapped up in life at times and it makes me miss my single days some times.
I used to spend so much time indulging my passions and hobbies when I didn’t have to share my time. I need to find a balance I think,
Great post, Here’s to a special valentines!
I hope this post can encourage you to do that more often, you deserve it!
Yes I agree Valentine’s Day is focused on couples, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use the day as reminder to love our selves.
These are all great ideas & I would personally love a spa night or having take out & watching Netflix.
I agree 🙂 x
I will defo be going for a nice take away on V Day. I won’t be solo but we don’t usually go crazy for Valentine’s Day as our anniversary is only a few days after!
Rosie
Can’t wait for a v day takeaway!
I actually can’t remember the last time I booked out some time for me on my own. I tend to get a couple of hours by myself when I’m in the garden (just the cats to keep me company) but if I tried to have any solo pamper time I’d get constant interruptions from Flora and Alan 🙁 Occasionally I do the food shop by myself just to get some alone time. I know that sounds sad but I’ll take what I can get in this bloody pandemic. Great post, Jenny, sorry for the ramble! xx
That doesn’t sound sad at all I can totally understand. Taking what you can get is sadly something a lot of people have to deal with at the moment! Hope you can find some alone time soon! x