Valentine’s Day on your own sounds a bit depressing when you’re surrounded by handholding, loved up couples. But it doesn’t have to be all bad! Features Editor Charlotte Sivvery is here to show singles how to survive 14th February.
1) Don’t mope…
Walking around with a face like a wet weekend or crying into your pint will not make you feel any better, on the contrary, it will probably make you feel worse. Do you really want other people’s smug sympathy while they discuss their overpriced dinner plans? No. Feeling sorry for yourself is not the way to go unless you want to look like a complete loser. “My friend Tim is always moaning about how he is sick of being single” says Helena. “I feel sorry for him but it does make him less attractive.” Remember you are not the only single person in the world. Also, just because someone is in a relationship doesn’t necessarily make him or her blissfully happy.
2) Don’t be a cynic…
It may be easy to sneer at the brash commercialism of Valentine’s Day, especially when you have already been bombarded with cheap adverts for the last two weeks. But don’t. Not only will you be spoiling other people’s fun, but also it will look like sour grapes. This must be avoided at all costs as it will give smug couples another chance to feel sorry for you. It may seem like fun, but avoid pointing out that they are paying through the nose for useless tat and that St Valentine was actually murdered on 14th February. You would only feel better for a moment or two.
3) Ignore it…
Treat the day like any other, although you may have to avoid listening to the radio or watching TV, which will inevitably be swamped with slushy programmes. Take yourself off to the cinema instead. Just don’t choose a romantic film. Pick a horror film - hopefully you will come out simply feeling glad to be alive, rather than worrying about being single.
4) Have a date with yourself…
When was the last time you really enjoyed your own company? Sometimes it’s great to be really selfish and simply spend the evening pleasing yourself. Turn off your mobile and relax. “My best evenings are those where I run a bath, pour myself a large glass of red wine and put on my favourite CD,” says Sophie. Light some candles. There’s nothing wrong with being sensual on your own. Love yourself.
5) Cheat…
Send yourself a card in the post signed ‘your secret Valentine’ or even better, send a few. If you really want to push the boat out, send yourself chocolates and flowers. When people ask who sent them, just give a knowing smile and say ‘I have a good idea’. This will make housemates jealous. It may also make you seem more desirable to potential lovers, unless of course the true identity of the sender is revealed, in which case you would just look sad.
6) Go on Holiday…
Valentine’s day is only celebrated on 14th February in certain countries. Why not find a non-Valentine’s day country and take a trip abroad. A bit of sun may be just what you need to beat the winter blues. Make sure to avoid areas where large British ex-pat communities gather as they may feel the need to remind you that it is Valentine’s Day. Flights from Manchester to Dushanbe in Tajikistan cost around £600 from dialaflight.com.
7) Celebrate your singleness…
Spend your day being thankful for being single and not feeling obliged to buy someone a tacky teddy bear carrying a heart. There are lots of advantages to being single: namely you don’t have anybody to answer to. “My boyfriend used to ring me the minute I got in from work,” groans Vicky. “He always wanted to know where I was who I was with and what I had been up to. I’d spend half my nights out in the toilets on the phone to him when I should have been enjoying myself on the dance floor. When we broke up I felt like I’d been cut free from a ball and chain!” Get your other single friends together and have a raucous, fun night out. Make the most of your free and single days and play the field!
8) Look to the future…
So you’re single this year, maybe you were last year too but that doesn’t mean you will be next year, or even next month. The exciting thing about being single is that anything could happen. You never know, Mr/Mrs Right may be just around the corner. Unlike couples who have been together for years you get to do the whole exciting falling in love thing. So for now, just enjoy being single and remember: good things come to those who wait…
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