There’s no point in sugar-coating it; if you’re single on Valentine’s Day, it sucks. Or does it? If you are paired off come mid-February there’s always the pressure to mark the day in a meaningful way with your partner; however that may be. But preferably differently to how you did the year before. If you’re on your own, there’s no such stressful need… or is there? What if you’re single but would rather not be? What do you do on Valentine’s Day then? Wallow? Mope? Walk about dejectedly mumbling under your breath that nobody loves you and never will? No, of course not, silly – you try out one of these four suggestions, of course…

 

Have a right good laugh

Is laughter the best medicine? Find out! Being amused and laughing out loud boosts endorphins and keeps that stress-driving cortisol hormone at bay, lifting your mood and putting you in a better state of mind. Honestly, it’s a scientific fact. So why not bury yourself in merriment this February 14^th? Have a movie marathon of your favourite comedy flicks and/ or sitcom box sets. Or head out with a mate to a local comedy club and laugh yourself stupid along with something alcoholic while listening to the jokes and japes of a professional stand-up. Just don’t sit on the front row!  

 

Round up the girls and have a singles party

It’s more than likely you know others who’ll be stuck in Singleville on Valentine’s Day, so why not invite them over to yours for an unashamedly indulgent singles party? Make sure they bring along lashings of snacks and, of course, the obligatory bottles of plonk. Alternatively, why not all of you head out on the town? It’s the perfect excuse for a girls’ night out – and, yes, an evening of karaoke – or even a truly indulgent night out on the tiles when you can all go somewhere stylish and really glam up. How about throwing on one of those long prom dresses at the back of wardrobe?

 

Spoil yourself rotten

Buck the trend and make Valentine’s Day all about you. Plan a day that’s totally focused on you; one that’s geared to making you happy. In other words, have a full-out, unequivocal ‘me day’. Sounds great, right? Of course it does. Quite frankly, it’s a good idea whatever stage you’re at in life to have a day that’s all about you now and again. What does this mean? Well, just own the day. Fancy kicking back and rewatching your favourite movie? Do it! Or OD-ing on an entire season of the latest thing on Netflix? Jump to it! Or buying those irresistible women’s Chelsea boots from Mr Shoes? Pull out the credit card! Or getting pampered and receiving some serious R&R at the local spa? Get on down there! Or even popping down to that posh hotel in town for afternoon tea, like you’ve always intended to? Gather up your bestie and sate your taste buds! Whatever you fancy – Valentine’s Day is officially *your* day.

 

Meet up with someone who means a lot to you

Finally, eschew the convention that Valentine’s Day’s all about amorous love and make it about platonic love. Who wrote those rules anyway? If you haven’t caught up with one of your very best friends, a much-loved relative or an old, old acquaintance you haven’t chatted to in so long, why not scratch that itch and have a proper, good catch-up with them? It’s bound to warm those deep-down cockles of the heart and renew your faith in human connection amid all the pressurised, paired-off Valentine’s palaver. And the best thing is, thanks to the power of social media (i.e. Skype), distance is no object nowadays – you can connect with anyone wherever they may be in the world. It’s (so) good to talk!