When Work Is Bae: 6 Ways to Celebrate Your Career This Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day can be a day to show the people in your life how much you appreciate them — but it can also be the perfect time to show yourself some love and make stellar strides in your career. 

If you’re trying to think of ways to boost your career at the beginning of the year, look no further. Here are 6 ways to show your career some love this Valentine’s Day.

1. Write in your career journal.

Light a candle, snuggle in, and start a career journal. Tracking your thoughts about what you want to do with your career — and reflecting on what goals you’ve already accomplished — is an important step to take to ensure you’re working toward your career plan. Taking time to appreciate what you’ve already done for yourself can also give you the boost you need to keep moving forward.

2. Splurge on a conference.

Instead of (or in addition to) dropping dollars on a flowers or chocolates for someone special, purchase something that will help you learn more about your industry — like hearing someone in your profession speak, or attending a cool networking event. Going to a conference gives you the chance to connect to other people, and keeps your career moving in a positive way.

3. Treat your mentor.

The work professional mentors put in  can go unnoticed, so show your mentor some love by treating them to coffee or drinks! Give them a thank you card that tells them how much you appreciate their guidance. It could be just the boost that they need, and a simple act will keep you in mind if any opportunities come up.

4. Buy yourself jewelry (for your work wardrobe!).

Maybe you let your last big promotion happen without thanking yourself for your hard work, or maybe you never celebrated that new raise. Whether you’re in the market for a statement piece that acts as a great conversation starter or a nice set of pearl earrings sure to elevate any outfit, Valentine’s Day is a great time to invest in jewelry that compliments your work wardrobe. Plus, adding something new can help give you a confidence boost that you can carry with you into your next meeting.

5. Have a video marathon.

Have you been thinking about learning to code for a while, or has learning advanced Excel functions been on your to do list for too long? This Valentine's Day, instead of heading to the theater to see a rom com, watch video tutorials online. There are plenty of resources available that can be the first step to learning the new skill that will help advance your career. 

6. Spruce up your resume.

Instead of spending an hour getting ready to go out, spend a couple of hours getting your resume ready to go out! Add new titles or accolades you’re received, and if you know InDesign, try to make it more aesthetically pleasing. 

This Valentine’s Day, forget getting set up on a date. Instead, take advantage of one (or a few!) of these activities to set yourself up for success. 

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Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New York's Best Emerging Poets 2017 anthology.