No Valentine? No Problem! Here’s How To ‘Date’ Yourself

At first glance, the idea of ‘dating’ yourself sounds narcissistic and downright crazy. But given a second thought, focusing on the relationship you have with yourself makes total sense.  From indulging in pamper sessions to practising mindfulness, self-dating could be the key to unlocking a happier, more confident you.

Before you think we’ve gone completely bonkers, self-dating isn’t about crazed dinner dates with a mirror opposite you. It’s about treating yourself how you would treat a significant other and giving yourself all the love and respect that you deserve. The sad truth is that problems with mental health and body image are becoming ever more popular. A survey by Glamour Magazine asked 300 women from around the country to note any negative thoughts they had about themselves each day. The results? A colossal 97% of women had at least one "I hate my body” moment daily. The experiment found that, on average, women experience 13 negative body thoughts a day. That’s one for almost every hour you’re awake! With this in mind, we think you should adopt a new philosophy. In addition to treating others the way you would like to be treated, we think you should treat yourself the way you treat loved others. For example, you wouldn’t point out something negative to a loved one 13+ times a day, would you?

Now you know exactly what dating yourself is, we bet you can’t wait to get started. So, here are five solo missions to help you become your very own soulmate.

Allowing yourself to be present and mindful on a daily basis can aid you in finding your inner peace. Take more time at every occasion to be in the moment and use your senses to their max. A simple task such as putting moisturiser on your face can become a relaxing treat.

Why wait for someone to come along? By thriving in your own independence you’ll be able to do the things you’ve always wanted (without being judged either!).

Reflecting on and making the effort to improve both mental and physical health will have a big impact on your life. If you eat a healthy, wholesome diet you are likely to feel more energised while regular exercise will release endorphins that make you happy (thanks, Elle Woods). Along with other self-dating techniques, a healthy body can lead to a healthy mind!

Believe it or not, some people don’t treat themselves. Now, there is no need to rack up credit card bills but enjoying some of life’s luxuries shouldn’t always go a miss. The chances are you work hard for your money so what better reason to enjoy it. 

Oh, so simple. Make a conscious decision to stop thinking negatively about yourself. As a rule of thumb when looking in the mirror, point out a feature you love about yourself or something you’ve done that makes you proud. Before you know it, self-shaming will be a distant memory.