Whether you are single or in partnership, Valentine’s Day is a fabulous time to celebrate self-love.
Have you ever given yourself a solo date for Valentine’s Day?
A solo date is time by yourself to have fun, nourish yourself, and fill yourself with love.
Think of the purpose of dates in relationships – connection, bonding, fun, romance, flirtation, adventure, and exploration (plus any other reasons you like going on dates with a partner?).
A solo date is having this kind of experience with yourself. It is sooo good for the soul!
Solo dates also strengthen your capacity to experience love within a relationship, because instead of showing up empty and wanting your partner to “fill” you, you show up already full of love (which as a bonus is VERY attractive to your current partner or future partner).
We don’t have to rely on someone else to “give” us love. You are a being of LOVE. You have all the love you need inside. Other people, including partners, simply reflect that love back to you.
And the cool thing is that you can reflect love back to yourself. You can take time to FEEL the love that flows deep within your body.
Solo dates can be done at home or out on the town, depending on what will nourish you most. I do most of mine at home.
When I am single, I do solo dates every Friday night! Even in partnership, I like having dates with my partner AND by myself. It keeps things fresh, fun, and helps me stay connected to myself.
12 Solo Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day
If you are single, have your date on 2/13 (International Self-Love Day) or on 2/14 Valentine’s Day or any time during Valentine’s week.
If you are in partnership, have a romantic date with your partner on 2/14 (if possible) and a solo date another night that week (or vice versa).
1. Candlelight Dinner Date – Take yourself out to dinner, make yourself a delicious meal at home, or get takeout. Choose one of your favorite meals or something you eat only on special occasions. Light candles and enjoy the pleasure of eating by candlelight.
2. Rose Petal Bath – Buy yourself roses, draw yourself a bath, and place rose petals in your bathtub. Soak in the tub by candlelight while listening to relaxing music.
3. Self-Pleasure Date – Make time for a special sexual self-pleasure session. Buy yourself flowers, light candles, have some dark chocolate nearby, or whatever will make the space special. Hold a special intention for your self-pleasure session, like feeling the love that flows through your body or boosting your self-love.
4. Make Yourself a Valentine – Do you like arts and crafts? Make yourself a traditional valentine with red and pink construction paper, markers, stickers, lace doilies, or whatever materials your creativity guides you to use.
5. Write Yourself a Love Letter – Write yourself a love letter on a piece of paper or electronic document. Answer questions like… What do you appreciate about yourself? What challenges have you recently overcome? What are you proud of yourself for? What do you wish a lover would say to you? Write those things to yourself. Ex. “You are amazing and lovable. I see how much you care, and I appreciate you.”
6. Gratitude Date – Reflect on what you are grateful for in your current life and write it down. Write down all the moments in your life when you felt LOVE and celebrate them, including past relationships, current relationships, and future relationships (looking forward with gratitude about what you are creating for your future)!
7. Dance Party – Need I say more? Turn on some fun music and dance the night away in your home!
8. Inner Child Date – Pull out a picture of yourself as a child or teenager and talk to him or her. Ask what he or she needs from you. Imagine giving your younger self a hug, advice, your presence, reassurance, and/or whatever he or she truly needs.
9. Adventure Date – Do something adventurous that you wouldn’t normally do by yourself, like go to a concert, art museum, or hike.
10. Nature Date! Get outside for a date in nature by visiting a local garden, walking trail, park, or hiking trail. Or make yourself a delicious Valentine’s Day outdoor picnic! (even a picnic in your own backyard can be a blast)
11. Burlesque Date – Attend a local burlesque performance (if you’re lucky enough to have burlesque performances in your area) or other local dance performance (or watch a dance performance online).
12. Get Creative and Design Your Own Valentine’s Solo Date!
Please comment below and let me know what type of solo date you choose and how it goes. I would love to hear from you!
With love, joy, and gratitude,
Courtney
