We have officially entered what some might call the most dreadful time of year. Valentine’s Day, also commonly known as Single Awareness Day, is upon us. We cannot escape it. The grocery stores remind us of our relationship status. When we try to purchase produce, we are greeted at the front entrance with fluffy stuffed animals staring back at us, floating ‘XO’ balloons, and overpriced red roses that will not last a week.
If you are in a relationship, you might even dread the upcoming obligations associated with Valentine’s Day – Making reservations. Finding parking. Figuring out how to pay for it. Hoping they will be surprised. Dreading all that effort might not be ‘enough.’
For you Singles out there, you might be dreading staying home alone. Seeing tons of lovey dubby photos on social media. Eating a heart-shaped pizza. Watching movies and waiting for this day to be over.
There are 14 days that lead up to the dreadful day. However will we get through it?
Let’s make a plan.
For the next 14 days, I challenge you to think about things differently. Instead of starting your sentences with, “I wish I had…” begin with, “I am grateful I have….”
If we change the way we view this dreadful day, we might be surprised to find out that there are a lot of things we are glad we have (or don’t have). Instead of 14 Days of Dread, let’s change it to 14 Days of Gratitude.
Challenge accepted?
Natalie Frazier, LMFT-A
Natalie’s work is primarily focused on Couples and Individual Adults. She is experienced in grief and loss counseling, traumas (sexual and life-threatening), marital relations (including communication skills and infidelity), and emotion regulation (such as anger management and depression). She seeks to be an ally to all communities.
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