It’s that time of year again. You know, the time when every single girl dreads, the 14th day of the month. Okay, maybe not every single girl, but I definitely wanted to sleep through the entirety of Valentine’s Day when I was single.
Though I have a boyfriend now, I regret the Valentine’s Days I spent being unhappy all because I left like I had no one to share my love with. Looking back, that is the silliest thing I ever could have thought. Valentine’s day is simply about love. Who cares if society tells us we need a significant other to celebrate? If you’re a single lady this Valentines Day, I challenge you to a day full of self-discovery, self-care, and self-love. Further, below is a soundtrack for this Valentine’s Day, all about loving yourself.
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield:
“I’m just beginning / The pen’s in my hand, ending: unplanned.” Let the sun illuminate your skin (or feel the rain on your skin, depending on the weather) while you play this early 2000s classic. All about breaking societal expectations, making mistakes, and the excitement of the unknown future, Bedingfield delivers an impeccably inspirational song.
“Brave” by Sarah Bareilles:
“Sometimes a shadow wins / But I wonder what would happen if you / Say what you wanna say.” Bareilles urges us to speak our minds and be brave in the face of adversity through bellowing vocals and an upbeat tune. Learning to love yourself includes sticking up for yourself when you feel uncomfortable, disrespected, or confused. Be the brave, remarkable version of yourself this Valentine’s day.
“So What” by P!nk:
“I’m still a rock star / I got my rock moves / And I don’t need you.” Getting over a loser? P!nk is the cure. Being independent, especially after a long relationship can be scary. But remember, you have everything you already need inside of you – let the rock star in you shine!
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper:
“Some boys take a beautiful girl / And hide her away from the rest o’ the world / I wanna be the one to walk in the sun / Oh girls, they wanna have fun.” Another classic all about independence, Lauper left a cultural mark with this track. Spend this Valentine’s day out with your girls having fun (the best form of self-care).
“Pumpin Blood” by NONONO:
“‘Cause it’s your heart, it’s alive / It’s pumpin blood / And the whole wide world is whistling.” What a privilege and joy it is to be alive! NONONO gave us a perfect reminder that life is too short to spend the day sulking, go out and thrive.
“She’s so High” by Tal Bachman:
“She’s so lovely / She’s so high / Like Cleopatra / Joan of Arc / Or Aphrodite.” Bachman’s pop hit encompasses the feeling of being so utterly and irrevocably in love with another human being. Why not bottle up that feeling and apply it to ourselves this holiday?
“It All Comes Out in the Wash” by Miranda Lambert:
“Every little stain, every little heartbreak, no matter how messy it got / You take the sin and the men and you throw ‘em all in / And put that sucker on spin.” In an unconditionally blunt reminder that no one is perfect (and that’s okay) Lambert’s song off her 2019 album “Wildcard” is sure to make you smile.
“I Love it” by Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX:
“You want me down on earth, but I am up in space.” Icona Pop and Charlie XCX’s message to you: don’t let anyone hold you back. Who cares what other people think? Be unapologetically you, today and everyday.
“Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande:
“Gotta live my truth, not keep it bottled in.” Dance through the rain life throws at you. Tomorrow may be an unpredictable disaster, but, as Grande and Gaga put it, “I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive.”
“Silk Chiffon” by MUNA and Phoebe Bridgers:
“Like life’s so fun, life’s so fun / Got my miniskirt and roller blades on.” A pure bundle of joy, this song makes you view life through rose colored glasses (in a good way).
Don’t stop spreading the love this Valentine’s Day, but remember to take a moment to appreciate yourself and how far you have come!
