By Gabby Uwa
Every February, the world seems to turn pink and red overnight. Store aisles fill with chocolates and roses, timelines overflow with couple photos, and suddenly there’s an unspoken pressure to feel “chosen,” desired, or romantically fulfilled. For students especially, Valentine’s season can feel heavier than expected; between classes, deadlines, part-time jobs, and social pressures, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind emotionally or romantically. Seeing couples around campus or scrolling through curated posts online can quietly plant doubts about where you “should” be in life. But everyone’s timeline is different, and comparing yourself to others only steals joy from your own journey.
University is already a period of transition; learning who you are, what you value, and where you’re headed. Adding romantic expectations on top of that can feel overwhelming. That’s why self-love matters now more than ever. It provides stability in seasons of uncertainty.
But here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough:
Valentine’s season isn’t just about romantic love, it’s about love in all its forms. And the most important one is self-love.
Whether you’re single, in a relationship, healing from one, or somewhere in between, this season can stir up emotions we didn’t expect. Comparison creeps in. Loneliness gets louder. Expectations rise. Partners may even divide. That’s exactly why self-love matters now more than ever because before anyone can pour into you, you must learn to pour into yourself.
What Self-Love Really Means
Self-love isn’t just bubbling baths and face masks (though those may go a long way). It’s deeper than that.
It’s choosing yourself even when it’s uncomfortable.
It’s setting boundaries even when it risks disappointing others.
It’s honouring your needs instead of minimizing them.
It’s being gentle with yourself on hard days and proud of yourself on quiet wins.
Self-love is recognizing that your worth does not depend on relationship status, gifts received, or how publicly someone celebrates you.
You are already enough.
Valentine’s culture often centres romantic validation. When you don’t receive what you hoped for or when plans fall through, it can feel personal. But love doesn’t disappear just because one day didn’t go perfectly.
This season is an opportunity to reconnect with you.
To remind yourself that:
You don’t need to be chosen to be valuable.
You don’t need grand gestures to be deserving of care.
You don’t need someone else’s effort to justify your existence.
When you practice self-love, you stop waiting for others to meet needs you can already meet yourself, And that’s powerful.
Solo Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day
Solo Dinner Dates
A Trip to the Cinema
Indoor Movie Night
Paint and Sip
High-Budgeted Shopping Day
Although not a ‘solo’ date, a galentine (or the male version of such) would serve as a great form of entertainment on such day.
Showing yourself love doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It starts with simple, intentional choices: moving your body in ways that feel good, eating nourishing meals, using a condom for safe sex, drinking enough water, and allowing yourself to rest when you’re tired. It also means speaking kindly to yourself, replacing harsh inner dialogue with compassion, and protecting your peace by setting boundaries with people or situations that drain you. Celebrate your progress, emotionally, academically, and personally, even when it feels small. Make time for things that bring you joy, whether that’s journaling, listening to music, taking solo walks, or trying something new. Allow yourself to feel whatever Valentine’s season brings, and invest in your future by studying, saving, or building healthy habits. Every small choice is an act of care for who you’re becoming.
Loving yourself sets the standard for how others treat you. It teaches you to expect consistency, value effort, and recognize when something doesn’t feel right. Valentine’s Day will come and go, flowers fade and social media posts disappear, but your relationship with yourself is permanent. So, this season, don’t wait to be loved. Choose yourself. Show up for yourself. Be gentle with yourself. Because the longest relationship you’ll ever have is with you, and that deserves patience, respect, and devotion every single day.