Around this time of year, love is in the air and people everywhere are ready to celebrate that love with the ones closest to them. Sounds perfect, right? Well, if you don’t have that special someone to share the holiday with this year, you may not be feeling like celebrating. On the other hand, maybe you do have a loved one you’d like to enjoy Valentine’s Day with, but you’re early in your recovery and worried that not being able to indulge in your past V-Day traditions – champagne, wine, cocktails – will prove to be too triggering or difficult and lead to relapse. Either way, February 14th may not seem like the stress-free day of love that it used to be.
Here are a few ideas to help you get out of your head and be able to enjoy the holiday of love with your partner, your family, or with your own company – which can be the best company there is!
- Enjoy a mini-vacation weekend. Drive out to the beach, to the mountains – anywhere you (and/or your partner) can go clear your head and leave behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Use the holiday as a chance to rest up and spend quality time alone or with your partner around beautiful scenery.
- Write a love letter to your Higher Power. Give yourself a reason to show gratitude for your recovery on Valentine’s Day. List out ways in which finding your Higher Power has improved your life, and ways in which you plan to strengthen your relationship with your Higher Power as you continue navigating your recovery.
- Spend time with family. Valentine’s Day isn’t solely concerned with romantic love. Show the people in your family that you love and appreciate them by giving them a kind gift or going out to a nice meal together. Keep your family bonds strong so that they can continue being there for you in your recovery.
- Attend a meeting. If you’re alone and struggling with your recovery on Valentine’s Day, you’re absolutely not alone. Find a nearby meeting to attend so that you can connect with others and receive encouragement and support to keep going. If you have a partner, perhaps spend time with them looking for local Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings that they can start attending.
- Stream a favorite movie or show. If all else fails, Netflix will always be waiting for you. Grab some chocolates or some cake and snuggle in with your favorite film or TV series – nothing heals the heart like comfort and familiarity (and sugar).
However you end up spending your Valentine’s Day, remember: You are not alone. One of the most important recovery messages rings even truer on a holiday centered around love and deep, meaningful social interactions. No matter what your situation is, there are people out there who support you and are ready to show you and your recovery love whenever you are ready to receive it. Enjoy your holiday, and more importantly, enjoy those chocolates!
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About Fellowship Hall
For 50 years, Fellowship Hall has been saving lives. We are a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.
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