Single On Valentine’s Day Does Not Have To Mean Lonely

It's that time again. Hearts and flowers and love are in the air. If you're single, and depending on how you feel about that, it can make you feel extra single. My single-life-loving self has no issue with it, and I've often used the day to celebrate love in all its forms with the people in my life. But what if Valentine's Day is a struggle for you? There are a lot of lonely people out there and the day can feel like a reminder that you don't have a significant other. The good news is, being single on Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a sad. If you plan ahead, it can be a fun and fabulous day whether you spend it alone or with family and friends. Here are some ideas of things to do.

If you're single and have kids yourself, plan to do something fun with them. There's nothing better than smiling and laughing with kids when you're feeling down. If you don't have kids of your own, borrow some. I'm sure you have a friend or a family member who would love to have the day/night off so they can get a break. Then just play. Get coloring books, watch a movie together, watch KIDZ Bop on YouTube with them and do the dances, sing songs, read books together, and whatever else you can do to be a kid again. Just have some fun.

I know, so corny! But similar to the idea to spend time with kids, have a fun day with your favorite fur baby.  Again, if you don't have your own, borrow someone elses for the day. Another great idea is to volunteer at an animal shelter to get your fur ball fix.

One year, one of my best friends, who lives out of state, was having a particularly tough year in singlehood so I sent her flowers. It made my whole entire week to hear her reaction. She was so happy and grateful and it truly lifted her spirits. The saying about lifting yourself up by lifting someone else up is so true. It really does work.

Sometimes all you need is a good cry. Watch those movies, sing those songs, get in touch with that part of you that is hurting and grieving about either a broken relationship or the complete lack of one. This may be a reach, but one of the things I've learned in therapy is something called exposure therapy where the idea is to expose yourself, in a safe environment, to the thing that's causing you distress, anxiety, discomfort, etc. I'm thinking by embracing your sadness, you're acknowledging it and getting those feelings out of your system. Seriously, I just love a good cry. Just be sure to have some things around you that bring you comfort and happiness to offset that. Maybe your favorite food, a funny movie, an upbeat playlist. I find that letting things out and not keeping them bottled up is extremely helpful.

There are so many fun ways to workout these days, and it's been proven that a good sweat session releases endorphins and just make you feel good. Take a cycle class, lift some weights, do yoga, or learn some pole dancing. Whatever gets you moving, do that.

I don't know about you, but I love a good craft project. If you're not on Pinterest, you don't know what you're missing. Get on there and search for projects to do. They have instructions on how to make anything from jewelry to wall art to finger knitting. I love getting lost in a good craft project. Before you know it, the day will be over and you'll have a beautiful creation.

Yes, you should love yourself in the emotional sense, but right now I'm talking about physically loving  yourself. If  you're easily offended by sex talk, you should probably leave now. Happy Valentine's Day. Hope you have a good one. For everyone else, hear me out. Maybe use the day to start, or update, your toy collection. Yeah it's easy to go online and buy things there, but checking things out in person is more fun and actually empowering. If you've never gone into a store before I know that you may have visions of sketchy dark rooms, so let me help you out. My favorite place is called Good Vibrations in Brookline. It's bright and welcoming and the people who work there are really helpful. There are also people who throw parties and come to your home if that's your thing too.

I know that Valentine's Day is a tough day for some of you, and I hope that if you're one of them, you find something to do that makes you feel good and not-so-lonely. It's cliche to say love yourself first, but sometimes cliches are just facts. Happy Valentine's Day!

February tends to bring out the inner panic in some single people. They either go about it quietly or go all out on social media, convinced that being single on Valentine's Day is the absolute worst. But guess what? This Valentine's Day, some brands are flipping the script. Instead of sticking to the usual lovey-dovey stuff on February 14, they're shining a spotlight on Galentine's Day on February 13, celebrating the awesome power of friendships. Others are boldly stepping off the beaten path by embracing Single's Awareness Day on February 15, celebrating singles. Some even humorously call it Singletine’s Day.

According to the Pew Research Center, around six in ten people proudly claim a single status. Overall, three in ten U.S. adults are single, meaning they are not married, living with a partner, or in a committed romantic relationship. Interestingly, this number has stayed consistent since the Center asked this question in 2019.

For those unattached Americans, 57% declare that they aren't actively on the prowl for a relationship or casual dates. A survey by the Center in February 2022 looked into the reasons why. Turns out, most of them are just enjoying the solo life and have other priorities.

But let's talk about the perks of being single. You're saving money that would typically go into date nights. Plus, you have the luxury of more free time. That's where Singletine’s Day comes in as the perfect excuse to treat and celebrate yourself. According to the dating app Plenty of Fish's 2022 “Be Single, Not Solo” campaign, 26% are planning to indulge in some well-deserved self-care.

If you find yourself flying solo on February 15 or partaking in the whimsically titled Singletine’s Day, there are several fun ways to celebrate it. From solo movie marathons featuring personal favorites to gestures like exchanging gifts with fellow singles to embrace the celebration.

Being single can sometimes be annoying, especially when it feels like you're missing out on cool events because you don't have someone to go with. But here's the thing, you shouldn't skip doing what you love just because you might be doing it solo. Grab a ticket for a concert, ballet, comedy show, movie, or sports match that you're excited about, even if you're going alone. These events can still be a fantastic chance to connect with other people who likely share your interests.

Sending your friend a "Happy Valentine's Day" message is completely appropriate if you want to spread good vibes and positivity. Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic love; it's a day to celebrate all kinds of love, including friendship. Many people exchange greetings and express gratitude for their friends on Valentine's Day to show they care.

A self-care day is about setting aside time for yourself and enjoying activities that bring you happiness. Whether it's going for a walk, hanging out with friends, treating yourself to a spa day, tidying up your home, or trying a class. Anything you've been wanting to do is perfect for celebrating this special day.

Not having a special someone doesn't mean you can't treat yourself to a nice outing or celebrate love. It's also a great opportunity to explore new places. If going out alone isn't your thing, ordering takeout is always an option.

On February 15th, a bunch of Valentine's Day candy goes on sale. You can grab some for Singletine's Day and replenish your emergency stash at a much lower cost than those in relationships. Plus, you won't have to share!