Ever wondered what a professional counselor thinks about Valentine’s Day? Here’s a perspective you’ve never considered.
Today, Angela Mitchell shares some thoughts on Valentine’s Day and any holiday. She emphasizes the importance of learning to be with ourselves. In our busy world, we often mistake being caught up in our lives for true community. It is crucial to take time for self-reflection and understand who we are, so we can effectively interact with the rest of the world.
Enjoy Angela’s article and reflect on the points she brings up. It’s good therapy for your mind and soul.
Hello, my name is Angela Mitchell and I have a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who has had the privilege of gaining counseling experience for over 14 years in a variety of Mental Health settings.
I have experience in counseling individuals, and couples and facilitating groups. Some of the modalities that I may include in therapy are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.
My goal is to encourage you and walk with you to help aid you with finding balance in your life. Change for the better can sometimes be challenging but the payoff has the potential to resolve issues and experience greater clarity, confidence, and certainty.
Valentine’s Day
I can’t stand Valentine’s Day!!!!!! I don’t want to deal with seeing the flowers, candy, more flowers, the colors red and pink, hearts, cupids, people eating out, and a display of PDA (Public Display of Affection) on caffeine. But at least that’s what I used to think and say until the following concept presented itself to me.
Years ago, when I held relapse prevention groups for my clients who were working on managing their addictions, one part of their relapse prevention plan was changing people, places, and things.
When we got to the people part, most of my clients would say ” Miss Angela, if I changed the people that I have been hanging with, then I wouldn’t have anyone to hang around.” And my response would be whether we are dealing with addiction or not, sometimes we may have to just start with being with ourselves.
I am not promoting someone who isn’t single to be single but whether you are dating, in a relationship, or single or you find yourself not with your Valentine on Valentine’s Day, since love is in the air, why not make the air even thicker by being your sweetheart.
For example:
-If you do find yourself not having any plans or you are by yourself for whatever reason ( this is not limited to just singles) and you love steak for instance, try to remember the last time you had a great steak and where from…..on Valentine’s day.
Order a steak for yourself and 2 of your favorite sides, get your favorite drink to go with it, and your favorite dessert.
Go home ( or to a friend’s house, or family member’s house), put the steak on a glass plate, pour your drink into your favorite glass, get comfortable, and watch your favorite TV show, or one of your favorite movies, or favorite comedian or invite some of your friends over and you all bring your favorite foods and sit and talk and have fun or watch funny youtube videos, etc…..
-Or for January, save up money for Valentine’s Day and go and get the pedicure that you have been denying yourself, or a facial, massage, foot rub, or a new haircut, outfit, shoes, etc..
-Or if you have some time saved up at work, take half a day off, sleep in late and go to work for half a day, or really go wild and take the whole day off
-Or if you are going to visit grandma, mom, dad, brother sister, aunt uncle, maybe stop by the gas station or store on the way and grab their favorite soda, flower by the register, or candy and tell them Happy Valentine Day (doing things for others on a holiday can bring a smile not only to the one you give, but to your heart as well.
-Create laughter by going to the store and buying a box of the Valentine’s Day cards (that grade school kids bring to school for their classmates-at least that’s what they did when I was in grade school. Okay, stop trying to figure out how old I am!!! lol). Put them on people’s cars, under their windshield wipers, mail them to loved ones near and far, or just hand them one face to face…..
So, I said all of that to say, that if we look at holidays or certain situations with dread, it is possible to think differently and use it to our advantage. Take the opportunity that day and participate in your self-care. There is no disadvantage where love is concerned whether it is Valentine’s Day or any other day, towards others and ourselves.
Thanks Angela for the insight into Valentine’s Day
Thanks, Angela, for bringing this thoughtful insight to our readers. Your wisdom today brings a valuable reflection on who we are and how we relate to each other. We’re looking forward to your next article coming in March.
We hope you are enjoying these articles and are willing to continue to follow along as we share our adventures of learning about life in southern Illinois, This is an exciting area and we are so happy to be part of this area. Our lives are being fulfilled by the people we are meeting. Bruce & Karen.
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
We’re Bruce and Karen Carlson. We recently moved to the Metro East area of Illinois. This area is east of St. Louis from the Mississippi River north to Alton, east to Carlyle, back south to Waterloo and the Mississippi River, finally north to Columbia. The center is Fairview Heights, Swansea, Belleville, Shiloh, and O'Fallon. Not to be forgotten is Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Edwardsville. It’s a whole new world out there. Our goal with this website is to share our exploration of the Metro East area. As we find businesses and services we use in our daily lives, we’ll share how these businesses and services have helped make our lives better and easier to live.
We’re calling our move to the Metro East area retirement, but we’re not quite sure what that means. By sharing our story with you, we hope you too will gain a better sense of what the Metro East area has to offer and how their businesses and services can improve your lives and build a better community.
