February rolls around, and couples seem to pop up out of thin air. People receive flowers and chocolates; dinner date reservations are made and rom-coms are lined up. Why is it normalized that one needs a significant other to do these things? Below is the ultimate guide on how to fall in love with oneself during the season of love. 

Spending quality time with one’s own presence is a great tool to appreciate and value alone time. The first step on Feb. 14 is wearing cute pajamas to be comfortable the whole night. A very popular set is by a brand known as Skims, created by Kim Kardashian. The Cozy Knit Tank and the Cozy Knit Pant are the duo that everybody should own at least once in life. This top and bottom are trending for a reason. 

Next, one must grab the flipper and turn on Netflix or Hulu. Whether one is feeling lovey or very anti-Valentines, there are plenty of options to choose from. When in doubt, binge a show. But no show can be watched without a good ol’ snack.  

The most iconic snack for movie-watching is popcorn. However, since this is a stay-at-home Valentine’s Day, to make things more interesting, homemade popcorn is a must. According to cookieandkate.com, here is how to make it: 

In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the oil and 2 popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and wait for the kernels to pop, which might take a few minutes. In the meantime, place a large serving bowl near the stove so it’s ready when you need it. 

Once the kernels pop, turn off the burner, remove the pot from the heat and pour in the remaining popcorn kernels. Cover the pot again and give the pot a little shimmy to distribute the kernels evenly. Let the pot rest for 60 seconds to make sure the oil doesn’t get too hot before the kernels are ready to pop. 

Turn the heat back up to medium, put the pot back onto the burner and continue cooking the popcorn, carefully shimmying the pot occasionally to cook the kernels evenly. Once the kernels start popping, tip the lid just a touch to allow steam to escape.

Continue cooking until the popping sound slows to about one pop per every few seconds. (If the popcorn tries to overflow the pot, just tip the upper portion of popcorn into your bowl and return it to the heat.) 

Remove the lid and dump the popcorn into your serving bowl. Sprinkle the popcorn with a couple pinches of salt, to taste, and any other topping you would like. Toss the popcorn and serve immediately, for the best flavor and texture. The popcorn will taste good for several hours, though. 

Now that the popcorn is fresh and buttered and the movie is ready to be played, one last thing to do is light a candle and put on a face mask.  

The Tatcha Violet-C Mask is a great mask to use as it is a purple color, smells like a spa and makes one truly feel so special. It can be found at a local Sephora in the skincare section. 

According to sephora.com, this mask is, “a creamy anti-aging mask—packed with Japanese beautyberry, two types of vitamin C, and AHAs from seven fruits—that unveils softer, glowing skin.” Hydration and glow are all one needs on the National Day of Love. 

Overall, spending time with oneself has a positive outcome. If one can find joy and peace in being alone, they will be much better prepared for when a love interest enters into the picture. Life is full of little things that bring enjoyment but are often overlooked because they are not “cool.” But skincare, fun snacks, a good movie and self-love all work hand in hand to help one grow as an individual. Not everyone must have someone else realize the worth carried within them. Spending Valentine’s Day alone is powerful and those who prioritize self-love will be more than ready to give love when the time is right. Caring for oneself is never selfish.