It’s that time of year again…. Valentine’s Day. 
A day many people love to hate. Perhaps you think it’s only a Hallmark Holiday or maybe you don’t want to be reminded you’re single, or maybe you have a date. What ever you think, love is the trending topic of the day. And I have to question how is that a bad thing? The world needs more of it
And I get it, maybe you are single and don’t want to be reminded on Valentine’s Day. I’ve been there. But who says you have to be sad about it, why can’t you feel more loved than you ever have and make others feel that way too?
I found myself asking the same question. A few years back, my sophomore year of college I had found out that my boyfriend had cheated on me with his ex girlfriend a few days before Valentine’s Day. Of course, I instantly broke up with him and being devastated was an understatement of how destroyed I felt. I spent the days leading up to Valentines Day crying my eyes out feeling incredibly broken. Until finally I decided that I didn’t want to feel that way anymore and I was not about to be depressed on Valentine’s Day.
I thought to myself, what can I do that will actually make me feel better? And then I came up with the idea, instead of being sad, I should do something nice for someone else.
I called up my best friend who was also newly single. And we devised a plan. We would buy and make bunch of valentines and hand them out to everyone we could on campus. That way we would have more valentines than anyone else.
It ended up being such an amazing day. We ran up to people giving them compliments, even if it was just,” I like your shirt, Happy Valentine’s day! ” We ended up making so many new friends, even cute guys and got invited to a party that night. We felt loved but not only that, we made other people feel loved too.
Proof that it works! On my cards I left a link to my blog and someone actually wrote to me how that day impacted them. Even though the Valentine I had given her was made out a of a post-it note cut as a heart, it inspired her. You can do the same!
So, if you have a significant other or not. I think you should take Valentine’s day as a day to remind yourself to love all around you. Doing random acts of kindness can make for a great day.
Below are eight acts of love to spread, single or not on Valentine’s Day (or everyday!)
1. Make someone a special card
You can make and handout cards to random people as I had or get a card for a good friend or family member. Just a small gesture can really make someones day. If you have a significant other that you have been with for a while, you guys can go out and give cards to people too. It will bring you closer together!
2. Give someone a hug
Free Hugs are always the best. I think you will maximize how good you feel if you get out of your comfort zone and go to the mall and give random people hugs and see them smile. Or if that’s too much for you, make sure to give your friends and family extra hugs.
3.Pay for someones parking
One time I went to park at an outdoor parking space. It was one of those places where you had to prepay for your spot and then put the receipt on the dashboard. As a car started to pull out, a person ran out of the car and knocked on our window. They handed me a parking space that was paid for the entire day; They told me that the person before them did the same to them and to pass it on and I did the same to the person after me. That little act of kindness had made my day that much better and is something that can turn a bad day into a good one.
5. Volunteer
If you don’t have a date for Valentines Day or even if you do. Go spend it with others who need it more than you. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, animal shelter, hospital etc. To see the smiles you bring to others faces will make you feel so loved and if you have a significant other bring you closer together.
7. Donate
Instead of wanting flowers or chocolates, why not donate things you don’t need to someone who does. Nothing feels better than giving to others.
Valentine’s Day is a day to appreciate those we love. It can be a significant other, friends, family or even random people you encounter through the day. Spread joy and love to all around you because that is what life is about.
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
– John Holmes
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