Valentine’s Day has to be one of the worst days of the year. The pressures to have a picture perfect ‘holiday’ are oppressive and are often not met. And it doesn’t matter if you’re in a relationship or not! If you’re single, Valentine’s Day can make you feel SO ALONE. If you’re in a relationship and your partner doesn’t value Valentine’s Day the way you do, or they forgot, or… any number of things happen that make Valentine’s Day a huge disappointment for so many. The commercials that kick in towards the end of January make me crazy. Jewelry, chocolate, restaurants – big fancy gifts and yet another opportunity to encourage Americans to overeat. I say choose you for Valentine’s Day – don’t wait for knight on a white horse to come and sweep you away. Here are 3 suggestions for making Valentine’s Day a day to cherish you. Splurge At The Spa A massage has to be one of the most amazing physical experiences you can have. It is sexy in how liberated you feel lying on the massage table with next to nothing on. It is sensual in the intimacy of having your entire body is touched, caressed, rubbed. It is done in a safe, secure environment that is also warm, softly-lit, and comforting. Who cares if the person doing all that doesn’t know your name or anything about you?! They’re spending an hour making you feel like a queen! And the best part is? If you want them to spend more time on your feet, all you have to do is ask. Your wish is their command. Love to get your hair done? Go get that 3-color process you never justify spending money on, or get an up do! Who says you have to be a bride’s maid to get an up do! Maybe getting your nails done makes you feel good. Go get a mani/pedi and make it a deluxe with the paraffin dip and the extra long massage. Go to a high end salon where they serve you champagne while your feet are soaking! Oh and this time? When you go to check out, don’t bypass the salon products. Pick up that great smelling shampoo that your stylist used on you, or a tub of body butter. Bring a little of the peace and joy home with you. Girls’ Night In Think you’re the only one who doesn’t have plans for Valentine’s Day? HARDLY! Get your best girlfriends together and do something totally fun. Invite everyone over to cook a meal together. (Teach them your latest Vegan recipe!) Tell them bring board games or a box of their favorite pictures. Have fun in each others’ company. Or turn the classic girls night out into something completely extravagant. Find a great B&B out of town and rent out the house with your friends. Flowers Just For You Flowers are a simple thing that make us feel so good, don’t they? They smell good, they brighten a room like little else can. There is something so refreshing about a bouquet of flowers. So, go buy yourself some. I’m not talking about the bunch of carnations in the 3.99 bin at your local grocery store. I’m talking long stem roses, calla lilies, birds of paradise, or sunflowers. And don’t wait for Valentine’s Day to buy them either, join a bloom of the month club. Fill your home with them – your living room, your kitchen table, your meditation space. Fill your home with beautiful little symbols of the love you have for yourself. Here’s the sad truth: Valentine’s Day is a not a holiday. All the jewelry, restaurant, florist, and chocolate commercials are just another way to get American to buy more stuff, just in a heart-shaped box. You’re worth more than a heart-shaped box! Cherish yourself, splurge on yourself, make yourself the most important person in your life.