With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s common to start hearing talk about love, relationships, romance and more. American society has coined Valentine’s Day as the official “romance” holiday, and it’s often the day where couples are celebrated; those in recovery aren’t always going to have a significant other, however, and this can be triggering especially if they begin to feel lonely. If this sounds like you this holiday season, don’t be worried. You’re not alone – and to be completely frank, Valentine’s Day is just another day.
The expectations that we hold for ourselves and others around Valentine’s Day truly set us up to pity ourselves. The depictions of a passionate, happy couple on commercials, movies and mentioned in songs often give us the illusion that if we have anything less than this, we’re not living life “right”. According to the United States Census Bureau, however, in 2017, 110.6 million Americans were single; and even those who were dating someone likely didn’t celebrate, because Valentine’s Day is being viewed more and more as a commercialized holiday.
If you’re looking for love this holiday season, start searching within yourself. As cliché as it sounds, we find ourselves happiest and most grounded when we’re at peace with ourselves – and that means getting to know who you are and forming a loving, respectful relationship with yourself. In 2014, Elite Daily talked about some truly inspirational ways to practice self-love:
- Stop comparing yourself to others
- Exercise regularly, get good sleep and practice healthy eating habits
- Develop passions and hobbies
- Spend time in nature
- Read a book or make some artwork to express yourself
- Forgive yourself for the people you’ve hurt
Valentine’s Day could be triggering, but it doesn’t have to be if you don’t let it. Choose to view the day as any other day – because it is. Wake up in the morning, make yourself a healthy breakfast, go for a walk if you’d like and fill your day with activities that enrich your life. Embrace your recovery by strengthening your relationship with yourself, because that’s truly what matters.
Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit alcohol and drug-addiction treatment center located on the banks of the Cumberland river in Nashville, Tennessee. On a sprawling 177-acre campus, we are made up of 2 12-Step immersion campuses, 12 outpatient recovery centers and 4 sober living homes. We believe that each person has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we always put the patient first.
