It seems like every year Valentine’s Day becomes more and more miserable (for those with no valentine, but who wished they had one). The gestures are more extravagant. The couples are cuter. Even the corny rom-coms become mushier. Let’s just say I. Hate. It. Okay, no, seriously. I’m genuinely happy to be single during this “holiday”.
And if you’re happily unattached like me, it’s a good time to reflect, learn more about yourself, and my personal favorite, self-care. I’m talking splurge on a new pair of sneakers, watch the most brain-cell-killing-but-you-can’t-take-your-eyes-off-of-it reality show you can find (*cough* Love Island UK *cough*), meditate with the scent of essential oil wafting up your nose while a raindrops ASMR playlist keeps you company in the background.
What is there to be happy about when your Twitter timeline is filled to the brim with guys gifting their girlfriends’ a million red roses and girls making their boyfriends academy-award-winning videos detailing all the reasons they love them, and you don’t have any of that? Listen, sis, take it from me, it gets better. Boss up and know that you don’t need a soulmate.
We can be valentines if that’s worth anything (it better be, because ya girl is picky and I chose you!). And as my valentine, I have a gift for you. A gift basket of tips on how to have the best V-day being single. These ideas are so good, even cupid is gonna re-evaluate his occupation:
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Write yourself a love letter. Address it to past or future you. Compliment your best attributes, accept your flaws, identify your strengths and laud your skills. This may sound unnecessary, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves why we are special. Self-love is a non-linear journey.
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Create your own positive mantra with the intention of saying it to yourself daily. For instance, I would tell myself: You are THAT girl, you are only as amazing as you allow yourself to be. You are beautiful. You are important. Try it, see how it makes you feel.
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Make a playlist of songs that you just have to move to. Just, be careful not to knock anything over, the dorms are not that big…
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Take yourself out on a date. I know, it sounds weird, but try it! Buy yourself a movie ticket, shop, grab a bite to eat at a trendy cafe or new restaurant. Going out by yourself can be fun because you see things differently than if you were with a partner or friends. People-watching can be so entertaining: dreaming up stories about someone who walked past you on the street, or sat next to you on the bus.
Valentine’s Day is a highly commercialized “holiday”. The purpose it serves isn’t to get you to show your appreciation for the ones you hold nearest to your heart. It’s a capitalist tool used to get you to buy those giant teddy bears from Costco or drop a rack on roses that are going to die next week. It’s hard to ignore that and give in when everyone’s doing something. But take heart, being single is not the end of the world. Fall in love with yourself first. Then you can spend hours making a video of you and your boos undying love or sharing chocolate- covered strawberries with your girls. Whatever your relationship status is on the 14th, just know you’ll be fine if Cupid’s arrow misses you.