GUEST BLOG – by Amy Collett from www.bizwell.org
Valentine’s Day can be an enjoyable holiday for many people; it’s a day to let people know how you feel, to spend time with a significant other, to show your appreciation for the ones you care about. When you’re going through a divorce, however, it can be hard to take pleasure in a day that is so often focused on romantic love. You may feel anxious or sad, and those feelings can exacerbate depression and other mood disorders.
Once we start feeling low, it’s very easy to feed that negativity with thoughts about our worth and even our ability to be loved, and it can be difficult to get off that path and boost our self-esteem.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can enjoy Valentine’s Day whether you’re single or in a committed relationship. You might put the focus on your best friends, or simply make the day all about self-care and making sure your needs are met. After all, loving yourself is very important. Consultant Suzanne Sparrow suggests thinking about the best ways to practice self-care this year and make a plan for February 14 so that when the day rolls around, you’ll be able to turn it into a positive experience.
Spend some quality time … with yourself
We all need a little break now and then to focus on ourselves, so why not make Valentine’s Day a time to take care of your needs? Head to a local spa and get a pedicure, or spend the night in with your favorite movie and snacks. Go on a shopping trip and update your wardrobe; treat yourself! You can also participate in some quiet time; start a journal, read a good book, walk through the park, or spend an hour or two at a bookstore and grab a coffee afterwards. Pretend you’re on a date with yourself and make an effort to enjoy your time alone.
Cook for yourself
Many single people don’t often cook a nice meal for themselves because it’s so much easier to opt for quick and easy or takeout. Take the time this Valentine’s Day to create a delicious, healthy, decadent meal for yourself. Shop for fresh ingredients, incorporate things you love or have always wanted to try, and make a dessert you can revel in afterwards. Making time to cook a fantastic meal for yourself can boost your self-esteem and will help you see your own value at the same time.
Try something new
Most restaurants, theaters, and bars are full of couples and couple-wannabes on Valentine’s Day, but if you feel like going out, you can try something a little different. Head to an art museum, take a class, or head to a pottery shop to make your own pieces. Doing something you’ve always wanted to try — and being creative at the same time — can help boost your mood and your self-confidence, according to Psychology Today.
You may even want to give your lifestyle an upgrade. Change is hard, but it can also bring big rewards. Maybe it’s time to search for an apartment outside the city (there are nearly 260 apartments for rent in Stamford alone), or earn that degree you’ve been putting off. Studies have shown that attaining a college degree results in better health. Now’s a great time to pursue studies online, which has benefits of its own, including flexibility in how and when you take coursework. Plus, the return on the dollar is enticing; business degree graduates from Western Governors University, for example, report an ROI ranging from 202 to 267 percent.
Valentine’s Day can be a lot of fun for everyone; you just have to know where to start. Think about ways to make your day the best it can be, and focus on making yourself happy. With a good plan and a little preparation, your Valentine’s Day will be one to remember.
Divorce consultant Suzanne Sparrow helps people build a strategy and develop alternatives for the challenges they are facing in their divorce. Reach out to find out more! (908) 202-4828