While Valentine’s Day may have come and gone already, that doesn’t mean the aura of love and appreciation has to disappear. And for those of you thinking that this sentiment is only geared towards those in romantic relationships, think again: Valentine’s day is a day to celebrate all kinds of love, whether it’s platonic, familial, or romantic.
It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday, predominantly created for capitalist purposes (think of how much money industries make on this holiday, as gifts range from cheap chocolates to expensive electronics or jewelry). While I don’t necessarily agree with the consumer-driven aspect of the holiday, I think the sentiment of the day itself is a lovely one. It reminds us to take a moment to appreciate the people we love, be they our friends, family, partners, or ourselves.
In fact, focusing on ourselves is probably one of the most important reminders – not just on Valentine’s, but on every other day – because it tends to be the factor we most often push aside. Focusing on self-care, whether it’s as simple as taking a relaxing bath or reading a book, or as fancy as treating ourselves to a nice meal or buying something we really want, taking the time to pay attention and work on loving ourselves is essential. So this year, take that Valentine’s spirit and apply it to your every day life as much as you can. Remember to not only take the time to appreciate the ones around you, no matter what type of love is in your life, but to also give yourself the kindness, patience and love that you deserve.
This year’s Valentine’s Day playlist reflects some of my favourite songs that explore the complexities of love, ranging from pensive ballads to uplifting self-love anthems (and some of them are just straight-up bangers). Take a listen the next time you feel like singing in the shower, are on your way to work, while cooking up a meal or while having a night in with your friends. No matter what your self-care routine is, remember that every day can be Valentine’s Day.
The AvidBards V-Day Playlist can be found below – let us know what some of your favourite Valentine’s themed songs are!
~ Z ~
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
