Embracing Solo Romance This Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day often carries a weight that extends beyond its celebration of love. For many, it can be a poignant reminder of solitude or unmet expectations, whether single or in a relationship where the day goes unmarked.
Our culture's persistent narrative of needing "another half" to feel complete subtly reinforces the misconception that we are somehow incomplete on our own. This messaging can leave us feeling hollow, searching for an external source to fill an imagined void.
But here's a powerful truth: you are already whole! You don't need another person to complete you. You are complete as you are!
While we certainly celebrate those experiencing romantic love, it's equally important to recognise and honour the profound relationship we have with ourselves. This Valentine's Day, I chose to embrace this truth by taking myself on a pre-valentine date and writing myself a love letter. I encourage you to do the same, to recognise your inherent wholeness and to celebrate the love that begins within.
Let my letter serve as inspiration for your own journey of self-love.
Dear Me,
February 14th the world celebrates love in all its forms and I choose to celebrate you. As I sit here in this beautiful restaurant, dressed in an outfit that makes me feel confident and radiant, I want to acknowledge how far we've come together.
Remember when Valentine's Day used to feel like a reminder of what we didn't have? Now it's transformed into a celebration of everything we are. You've grown so much, learned to stand tall in your own light, and discovered that the most important relationship you'll ever have is the one with yourself.
I love how you've learned to laugh at your own jokes, even when no one else is around. I admire your resilience, how you pick yourself up after every setback, dust off your crown, and keep moving forward. I cherish your ability to find joy in simple pleasures, like the way you savour each bite of your favourite meal or how you dance in front of the mirror when no one's watching.
You've taught me that being alone doesn't mean being lonely. In fact, these moments of solitude have become sacred spaces where we truly connect with our dreams, desires, and authentic self. You've shown me that self-love isn't selfish, it's the foundation upon which all other love is built.
To the woman or man who's reading this: Your relationship status doesn't define your worth. The love you're seeking externally already exists within you. It's in the way you speak to yourself, the boundaries you set, the dreams you pursue, and the moments you choose to celebrate yourself.
Today, as I raise this glass of Sangria, I'm not just toasting to myself, I'm toasting to every woman who's learning to be her own best friend, confidante, and cheerleader. We're not waiting for someone else to buy us flowers; we're blooming on our own.
Here's what I want you to know: You are complete, exactly as you are. Your love story doesn't need to follow anyone else's script. Sometimes the most beautiful romance is the one we cultivate with ourselves.
So this Valentine's Day, I encourage you to:
- Write yourself a love letter
- Dress up in whatever makes you feel magical
- Take yourself on a date
- Order your favorite meal without apology
- Celebrate your achievements, big and small
- Make plans for your dreams
- Toast to your own strength and beauty
Because the truth is, when you learn to love yourself fully, life becomes a continuous celebration of love, not just on Valentine's Day, but every day.
To myself, and to every person reading this: You are worthy of the deepest, most authentic love – starting with the love you give yourself.
With all my heart,
Gabriella
P.S. The journey of self-love is ongoing, and that's okay. Every day we choose ourselves is a day we grow stronger, wiser, and more beautiful from within.
Shoutout to Bistro Restaurant for never disappointing me! 10/10
