Happy SAD! (And a Happy Valentine's Day too!)

Well it's here again! The one day a year where relationships are the central focus, and love is everywhere. In anticipation of this day there always seems to be a huge segregation in the general population...those who are in happy relationships, and are looking forward to a wonderful night with their partner; those who are in happy relationships and who think it's just another day; those who are in unhappy relationships, and who just wish this day would end...and then there's us...those who are in no relationship at all. Everyone comes at this day with feelings of some kind: excitement, boredom, dread, apathy, or love. Or a combination of those.
I am 23. I have had a Valentine all of 1 year...and I've still survived the other 22! I don't often get caught up on it, but this year I have done a lot of thinking on the matter. I'm not one of those people who just pretends that Valentine's Day doesn't exist, but I don't go overboard for it either. I wear socks with hearts on them (because I love any excuse to wear non-boring socks), heart jewellery, and a red flower in my hair. Today I'm even wearing red (it's a t-shirt from TRU, but it's red nonetheless, so I should get points for trying I think ;) ). I also gave Valentine's to the kids at work. That's about it. So I got to thinking, what category does that put me in?
I've come to realize that today is just a day to celebrate love in general. I love my family, and my friends...so today is a great day to tell them that! But my main focus this Valentine's Day is me...I don't mean for this to sound vain or conceited, that's not at all my intention...but if I don't love me, then who will? Being single this last little while has given me an opportunity to get to know me better. I have spent a lot of time figuring out what's important to me, and how I can improve, a little at a time, to eventually become the person that I want. But my biggest realization has been that it is essential to love me for me.
So, on this day of Love that I am sharing with myself, I'd like to make myself some promises...here goes:
1. From this day forward I promise to accept myself for who I am right now. This includes, but is not limited to, the way I look (especially my hair on bad hair days!), the job I have, where I live, my relationship status, my plans for the future...all of it! THIS DOES NOT MEAN that I will not continue to improve myself...it only means that I'll accept myself no matter where I am on my journey to who I want to be. This also includes not feeling the need to apologize for who I am and what my beliefs are.
2. I promise to begin taking more "me time", to spend some time, at least once a week (...it's important to start small right? lol) in reflection. I will also take this time to set goals, and plan my future, according to what I am in control of.
3. I promise to continue on my journey of self discovery. I want to more fully understand me while I can so that, when I do meet the man that I will spend Eternity with, I will be able to give more fully of myself to the relationship because I will know me and my limits. In this way I will have to spend less time focused on me and more time on our relationship with each other...because I will be spending that time on me now.
4. I promise to listen to my body better. In an ideal world it will need to last me another 60 years or so! I will pay more attention to when it's telling me to slow down. I will also attend Yoga at least once every other week (again...for now. Baby steps lol), and when the weather is a little more predictable and less slippery I will start to run every day again.

I think that's it for now. I hope you are all having a wonderful day, and taking some time to reflect on your primary relationship, whether it's with someone else or yourself.
So for now Happy SAD and Happy Valentine's Day...Tell someone you love them :)