There’s that one day out of the year where accepting flowers, cutesy cards, and other sweet gestures are appreciated just a little more than on most days—Valentine’s Day. The one day that some of us look forward to and others dread had finally dawned upon us and to be completely honest, I’m quite excited about the holiday this year. I’m usually not a big advocate for this day but with a renewed outlook on love, relationships, and most importantly embracing my singleness I can’t help but want to embrace this day with utter fascination and excitement.

Looking back on this day last year, I’m pretty sure I was sulking in my own feelings. And what made matters even worse is that at the time I was working at a restaurant, so dealing with my own frustration of being single yet another Valentine’s Day and having to be swarmed by couples galore on their fancy dates—well you can just imagine how I was truly feeling on the inside. Any emotion of serenity had completely vanished from me and I was more than ready for the day to pass.

However this year, my heart bursts full of love and joy as I recognize the love I have for myself, for those around me, and the love they have for me as well. And you know what, you should do the same! I know there’s nothing like having a significant other to bliss in the romance with on this day, but don’t fret! You can still feel love and enjoy the perks Valentine’s Day has to offer without having a “special someone” in your life.

Make today all about YOU!

There's nothing quite like being able to enjoy your own company. Spending the day pampering yourself, splurging on yourself, and just taking the day getaway for your own piece of mind is always a great alternative in correlation to spending the day with someone. It's okay to be a little selfish on Valentine's Day, and in the case that you're single like myself, I can't think of a better way to spend the day then treating yourself in some form of fashion.

For something simple, consider sending yourself flowers, or something to show appreciation for yourself. Just picture how those beautiful a vibrant bouquet of roses will look sitting on your dresser! The act may seem unusual ( trust me, I know there's nothing like being surprised by flowers from someone else) but who says you should be excluded from receiving flowers just because you don't have a significant other to send them to you?

Gal-entine's Day instead of Valentine's Day

Pick up that phone and call up all of your good and single girlfriend's for an amazing evening/night together! If I were going to do this, I'd invite all of my closest friends over for a night of our favorite chick-flicks, good food ( yes, chocolate covered strawberries are at the top pf that list), pampering each other---everything that would make for a great time and not sulking on our singleness. I don't know about you but I find it to be very empowering whenever I'm around my fellow single friends and we can uplift each other.

You can also go the alternative route with this and actually plan out a "date night" for you and your squad; for example, consider taking a group cooking class or even a group painting class, where there's wine involved of course! They say there's strength in numbers and I strongly feel this applies to a group of fierce, empowered single ladies, who can own that with confidence. Take full advantage of the ladies in your inner circle who are single as well on this day.

Show your gratitude to the people you appreciate most.

Everyone is different, but I am at my happiest whenever I can give to someone else, even if it's something small. The little things really do mean the most and being able to put a smile on someone else's face, making their day, will leave you feeling great on the inside! Thinking about this holiday, a lot of people may be under the impression that you have to go "above and beyond" your means but that's completely false.

DIY projects can be found all over the web, for the crafty people like myself out there, and it's a great way to give gifts in an inexpensive way. Homemade cards and sweet, Valentine's Day treats to eat can do wonders! Your friends, family, co-workers---whoever you choose to share your gratitude with will appreciate you thinking about them, it's the thought that counts.

So as you see, being single on this day doesn't have to mean shutting yourself out from the rest of the world, turning your nose up at that couple showing too much PDA in public, or even feeling envious of the next person and the gifts they may receive from the special someone in their life---it really is just another day. But, it's all about how you perceive it; control today don't let it control you.

All things said and considered, to my fellow single comrades---how are you going to be spending your Valentine's Day?