Love Yourself

No, not like that, necessarily. Let’s face it, being single can be a little depressing sometimes. Here is some advice on what to do when you're having 'one of those days'...

Give yourself permission to skip the dating scene for a day. You have every right to feel down about it, so you can wallow in self-pity or you can refuse to let yourself dwell on your solo status. Below are a few ways to make you feel a little better:

Pamper yourself.
So do what Saturdays are made for — sleeping in! Lounge in your pj’s, splurge on something for yourself like a massage, a manicure or pedicure, or do some shopping. Buy that item you’ve been looking at for months, but needed an excuse to purchase. Do something cultural, or something you enjoy but haven’t done in awhile. This is how I plan to spend my day. Sappy romantic movies, a good supply of ice cream, maybe a little “me time” at the mall — bring it on! Declare Saturday your day and do your favorite things. You might meet someone worth getting to know better. And even if you don’t, you spent some time broadening your horizons and giving yourself a much-needed recharge.

Have a night out with friends.
Or a night in with friends, depending on your budgets. Plan a movie or game night. I have friends who are nice enough to invite me to their game nights, and always have a great time. It’s an easy way to expand my social circle and meet some new people. Or get a group together and make reservations at a favorite restaurant. One of my favorite memories is the Lonely Hearts dinner that a bunch of my theatre friends and I decided to organise when we were at university. We went to a nice restaurant, didn’t have to worry about having anything in our teeth or making a good impression, and had a blast! These types of get-togethers are usually much more relaxed and fun than trying to win over a stranger you may never see again. I know mine was — I have better memories of the Lonely Hearts dinner than of some “romantic” days with boyfriends! Another option, especially if you’re trying to save some money, is to have the gang over for dinner or ask a friend to host. Who knows? You may meet someone who could turn out to be The One. What better way to spend an evening than being surrounded by those who make you laugh and feel good about yourself? That’s better than any heart-shaped box of candy!

Get organised.
Tackle those junk-filled drawers or closets and make a donation to your local Lifeline or Salvation Army. Fire up your shredder and go through the stack of bills you’ve been holding onto for ever. Weed through the books you didn’t like or don’t want anymore and take them to your local library. If de-cluttering has been a challenge for you, make the commitment to spend a smaller part of the day clearing out so you feel less overwhelmed. Make your place presentable for the next date you bring home.

Call your family.
Love comes in many forms, so don’t forget to call those who first loved you — Mum, Dad, Grandma, and the rest of the clan. They’ll be touched by your thoughtfulness. If you live close enough and want to go a step further, make plans with the family. Go out with Mum and Sis for the day, or stop by and visit Grandma.

Volunteer.
So maybe the day doesn’t have to be all about you — it can be about helping others, too. Local organisations are always looking for volunteers. Getting involved in a community project is guaranteed to give you a sense of pride and accomplishment. You don’t have to spend your whole day doing something that will make you miserable. Use your skills or interests to do something nice for someone else. Donate an hour to the local library and help them shelve books. Get a group of friends together and do a walk or run for a local charity. Helping others never fails to put your own life into perspective. And again, you just might meet your future spouse sometime during the day.

Give blood.
Why not do something good for the heart of someone else? The Australian Red Cross and local area blood centers are always looking for new donors. If you can’t find a blood drive in your area, call one of the organisations and schedule an appointment. As long as you are over 18 years of age, weigh at least 50 kilo's, and have no chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, you are an eligible donor. It only takes a few minutes, and you can donate again in eight weeks.

Think positive.
No dinner reservations to make, no date to dress up for. And honestly, isn’t having a whole day to spend your way much more rewarding than sitting through another terrible date?