4 things to do for yourself on Valentine's Day - With Jo Middleton

Yep, it’s that time of the year again! No sooner have we swept the supermarket shelves clear of Ferrero Rocher and prosecco gift sets than we’re filling them up again with tat for Valentine’s day.

Even when I’ve been in relationships I’ve never been a fan of Valentine’s Day. All those pink teddy bears clutching satin hearts to their chests and overpriced special restaurant menus. It’s not my jam. Besides, if it’s a decent relationship then do you really need to have just one day where you do nice things for each other? Isn’t that meant to be every day?

Anyway, I’m single, so no satin heart bears for me even if I wanted them. Instead, why not see Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to lavish a bit of much needed TLC on yourself? We’re all still recovering from Christmas after all, and those first few weeks of January when we all thought it would be a good idea to join the gym, so perfect timing for a bit of self care.

Here are some ideas for things to do for yourself this Valentine’s Day:

Make yourself tea in bed
I know, this sounds kind of tricky, but I think I’ve mastered it. All you need is a thermos, or one of those metal bottles that keeps water hot for hours, and Bob’s your uncle! Tea in bed without having to share the duvet. Pop a packet of croissants under the bed and you have the makings of a top notch morning.

Go for a walk and actually look at stuff
It’s called mindfulness don’t you know. I know it’s cold, and probably raining, but there’s nothing quite like getting out in the fresh air to blow away the cobwebs and give yourself a bit of time to think. Swing your arms, take lovely deep breaths of cold air and contemplate the glory that is going for a walk by yourself and being able to stop to look at things whenever you like without someone sighing impatiently at you.

Hang out with a pet
There’s loads of evidence that pets can help promote good mental health, and is there really any love more pure than that between a woman and her cats? It’s a simple and unconditional kind of love, the kind where it doesn’t matter how much space they take up in the bed, you’re always happy to ball yourself up in a corner to make room.

Cook yourself an amazing meal
Okay, so there’s a bit of effort in this one, but if you enjoy cooking generally then isn’t it a lovely excuse to have a special occasion to cook for? Imagine you’re having very important guests, like the Queen or Colin Firth or something, and put as much effort in for yourself as you would for them. (You’re worth it remember!) Set the table with your best cutlery, or eat it in front of reruns of Inspector Morse - this is your special day so you get to choose.

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Jo is the owner of the long-running and hilariously funny parenting blog, Slummy Single Mummy, She also co-hosts at Word Gets Around Networking in Taunton. Jo now boasts a new string to her bow as her debut novel, Playgroups and Prosecco, hit the bookshop shelves back in May.

​https://slummysinglemummy.com/