Valentine’s Day is one of the most polarizing holidays out there — you either love it or you hate it. If you belong to the first group, it’s instantly assumed you’re one half of a couple, and if you’re in the second, your love life is a vacuum. Worse, it’s become popular to refer to February 14th as “Singles Awareness Day” and spend the entire 24 hours bemoaning “the Hallmark conspiracy” and the woes of singledom. Sure, you could spend this year’s Valentine’s Day in a bitter rage. Or you could embrace a new mindset, and start loving V-day — even if the only thing you’ll be snuggling is your comforter.
1. Somebody to LoveWho said you needed to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Thomas Merton said, “No man is an island.” I can guarantee there’s at least one person in your life who appreciates you, and vice versa. So show them your love! This could be as simple as writing your grandmother a letter (c’mon, you know she’d love it) or as elaborate as surprising your roommate with movie tickets and a free dinner. Cheesy as these suggestions may sound, at the end of the day you’ll be much happier strengthening your friend and familial bonds than whining about the romance you’re not having.
2. Oh, You Fancy, HuhValentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to wear all your most feminine clothes and accessories, all at once. Seriously, there’s probably no other time in your life when it will be socially acceptable to wear forty bazillion shades of rose and blush, hearts on hearts on hearts and femme details like bows, ribbons and ballet flats. Embrace your inner girly-girl. It will be fun, I promise. But if you can’t find any pink in your closet, or you just like being “anti-establishment,” go the opposite direction with an edgy, black ensemble. I’m thinking leather jacket, tight black skirt, cool patterned tights and combat boots. Plus some skulls. Either style direction you take, you’ll enjoy getting dressed up. No flowers or box of chocolates necessary.
3. All About YouWhy not take this as a day to celebrate how awesome you are. Parks n’ Recreation (arguably one of the best shows ever) had a motto for these types of days: “Treat Yo’ Self.” Feel like getting a manicure? Treat yo’self. That pint of Ben and Jerry’s Half-Baked looking real good? Treat yo’self. Want to spend a couple hours curled up on the couch reading or having a Netflix marathon? Treat. Yo. Self. Seriously, if you can’t indulge in a little self-love on Valentine’s Day, when can you? It’s pretty hard to hate a day where you have full license to indulge.
4. Wake n’ BakeThanks to Pinterest, there’s no limit to the number of adorable, heart-themed desserts you can whip up in the kitchen. Seriously, the only thing sweeter — in both senses of the word — than rice krispie treats shaped like roses are chocolate ganache and cream cupcakes stuffed with strawberries. Find a cute recipe, hit up the grocery store and then let your inner five-year-old run wild. You could share that decadent red velvet cake with your friend … Or, you know, eat it all yourself. (If you’re worried about your cake consumption, refer back to item #3.)
The negative hype surrounding February 14th is not only overdone, it’s no fun! Being single this V-day just means you have to expend a little more creativity in deciding how to celebrate. Use these ideas, and you’ll have your best Valentine’s Day yet.