Single? 5 Ways to Survive Valentine's Day

’Tis the season for love and lots of it on Valentine’s Day!

Everywhere we turn there are displays of heart-shaped balloons and candy packaging as people begin to prep for Valentine’s Day.

Stereotypical images of love are forced down our throats during the weeks leading up to this very “special” day.

A lot of us have been conditioned to believe that Valentine’s Day is this big day reserved for the romance between two individuals, but I’m here to remind us that love looks different for everyone. Single people most of all.

As a single, it may be tempting to fall into a pattern of self-pity or “why me?” during the days surrounding Valentine’s Day, as we watch our peers make plans and buy gifts. These are the exact thoughts we want to avoid at all costs, even if it means spending some time away (staycation, which we’ll revisit) or banning ourselves from social media.

The thing is, identifying as single and being alone on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a negative, miserable thing. Valentine’s Day actually has the potential to be one of the best days of the year.

Yes, even for us perpetually single folk! I’ve personally grown to love it and here’s how you can grow to love Valentine’s Day too. There are so many things a single person can do to celebrate love on February 14th.

No, this doesn’t mean you can call up your “old thang” or find a random Tinder date to avoid being alone.

Actually, the point is to be alone. This gives us the opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, to spoil ourselves, and to show our minds and bodies some much-needed appreciation.

After all, if you can’t love yourself, how can someone else love you?