For those still looking for that special someone, Valentine’s Day can be emotionally taxing and it’s easy to let being single knock your self-confidence.
Fortunately, there is some good news on this front: it doesn’t have to be this way! Spending Valentine’s Day single can be just as rewarding a being in a relationship.
Though the endless bombardment of cynical marketing may try and convince you that Valentine’s Day can only have meaning when you’re part of a couple, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Feast of Saint Valentine celebrates love in all its forms, be that love for your family, love for friends or even loving yourself.
In fact, of the 190 million Valentine’s day cards sent each year in the USA, the US Greeting Cards Association estimates that half are given to family members other than a husband or wife.
So with the true spirit of Valentine’s Day in mind, here are some of the best ways in London to show the most important people in your life how much they mean to you.
Go to a board game café
Looking for a way to pass the entire evening with a band of your closest friends?
There is no need to search any further than a visit to your nearest board game café and the range of table top experiences they have to offer.
From light-hearted trivia games to lengthy fantasy adventures, these venues are able to cater to the entire spectrum of tastes and interests.
Recommendation: With venues in Waterloo and Hackney, Draughts has a cosy, welcoming atmosphere and a massive library of games, with an extensive food and drinks menu to boot.
Do some volunteering
Nothing screams ‘love’ like a selfless act, so it makes sense that offering your time and energy in service to others is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day.
This choice comes with several additional benefits, foremost among them the fact that you can choose the causes you are most passionate about to support.
Not only this, but volunteering is also a great way to meet people who have similar interests, and whether they remain as friends or a spark is lit, human connection is the epitome of love.
Recommendation: The Mayor of London’s Team London Volunteering website is merging into Simply Volunteer London, a directory of volunteering opportunities across the whole of the capital.
Getting involved in one of them would be a worthy way to spend Valentine’s Day single.
Take a walk in nature
If the incessant Valentine’s Day buzz in the city is really getting you down, then reconnecting with the natural world in one of London’s many green spaces is a great way to alleviate this.
Don’t just take our word for it, as in 2021 the Mental Health Foundation found that 70% of UK adults agreed that being close to nature improves their mood – a perfect cure for any singles-blues.
You aren’t short of options in London either, as there are more than 3,000 parks to choose from, ranging from local green spaces to grandiose National Trust properties.
Recommendation: Nestled over Hampstead Heath, Hill Garden and Pergola feels like something out of a C.S Lewis novel, with a stunning mix of the natural and the man-made in its terraces.
Go for a meal
Renowned French restaurateur Auguste Escoffier once opined: “ Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.” When it comes to brightening up a grey Valentine’s Day, he was spot on.
Booking a group meal allows you to surround yourself with those you love and indulge in the company of those closest to you, all while treating the palette as well.
While perhaps not the cheapest option, a good time dining out can be extremely memorable.
Recommendation: Thanks to an extensive menu offering delicious Lebanese cuisine, Sidra in Twickenham has more than earned its sparkling online reviews.
Hopefully one of the these suggestions will appeal to you if you’re spending Valentine’s Day single, or at the very least have inspired to you to make the day your own.
Feature image courtesy of Silar under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
