With the dreaded (or maybe not so dreaded for some) Single's Awareness Day AKA Valentine's Day around the corner, for many of us in the single category this time of year can trigger a mean case of the loneliness. For myself it's difficult to not look at every cute couple without wanting to throw up in my mouth (just a little) when I see their gushy displays of affection; also pre-fixe Valentine's Day menus kind of make me want to scream, but I digress. Just a year ago, I had a Valentine's weekend that was something out of a Fairy Tale with my then long-term on/off boyfriend and had a completely different association with this saccharine corporate love-fest but now I'm beginning to have a more neutral stance on both the holiday and my singledom. Here are eleven life lessons I've only recently learned from being single that are helpful for getting through V-day whether you have a sweetie or not.

1. I Don't Hate Valentine's Day Nearly as Much as I Used To:

Like my homie Patrick above, a few years ago I had a bitter resentment towards Valentine's Day when I had no Valentine for that year, it wasn't until I realized that there are ways to make the occasion fun without a boyfriend; like hanging out with friends and drinking wine and watching cheesy movies or going out to brunch, or making fun of corny couples and through doing these things I was able to have a better association with the holiday and it became a far less depressing time for me, plus I love pink and hearts, so why miss out on the cute outfits and decorative possibilities?

2. I Kind of Rock at Being My Own Boyfriend:

I am one romantic S.O.B; whether I'm with someone or not. If I'm not spoiling someone else I find that I have enough money and time to spoil myself. I'm not a huge proponent of reckless spending but I will treat the hell out of myself when I feel like it; whether it's wining and dining myself, or buying myself some fancy lingerie, or a pretty perfume, or flowers I treat myself the way I hope my next boyfriend would.

3. Friends Get You Through:

I consider myself to be very #blessed to have a small, yet wonderful circle of friends whom I can count on in tough times; people who will listen to my angry ex-rants, my slightly irrational fear of being a crazy dog-lady spinster, and who will be a shoulder to cry on. I've learned to appreciate my friends more and more and all that they add to my life this time around and to be a better friend to them in return.

4. It's Absolutely Okay to Take as Much Time as You Need to be Single:

At the end of the day, I've realized that I have incredibly high standards. Since I'm not willing to lower them for anyone, I'm willing to dedicate time to being single, no matter how long it takes so that I can better myself and be more open and ready for the kind of love I am willing to give and the kind of love I believe I deserve in a partner.

5. I Don't Need a Rebound or Hookup:

Contrary to popular belief the best way to get over some one is not to get under someone else. lf you are still wounded over the last one, this is really a recipe for more heartache and an attachment to potentially the wrong person. I'm essentially a nun when I'm single (black wardrobe and all baby), and I find that the lack of attachment to another person helps me to think more clearly and evaluate what I want in a partner more. To each their own, if you've found it works for you great! To me, this just isn't the best solution.

6. It's Okay to Miss Them:

It's perfectly normal to miss the one's you once loved (or maybe still do love) but it is difficult to put boundaries up while missing them. It's easy to cave into impulses (especially while inebriated) to text or call up an ex and while it is normal and okay to miss them it's also wise to never allow yourself to forget that they hurt you and peacefully move forward without contact, at least until you're 100% over them.

7. Being Single is F***ing Scary:

When I'm in a relationship, to a certain degree I feel protected by the presence of that person, especially from creepy dudes. When I was in a relationship, I had the safety net of being attached to another person and let's face it: pushy dudes respect another man's boundaries more than a woman's choice to say no. I'm still learning to navigate the waters of being single and owning my right to say no to creepers and I must say it's mildly terrifying! Creepy straight men are a big part of why my girls' nights include going to gay clubs.

8. I Can Afford to be More Selfish:

I'm the kind of person who has the tendency to put off my own happiness and well-being to be there for someone else and help them with their problems (even if they're recurring and even if the person I'm helping is the source of all their own issues). Realizing this about myself has helped me learn to put myself first and oddly enough this realization has helped me become kinder and less resentful to those in my circle.

9. I'm Pretty Damn Magical:

Through focusing on loving myself I've learned to not only recognize my bad qualities but also celebrate my good ones without needing affirmation of them through someone else's eyes. I've re-realized that I'm a great writer and that I'm creative and funny and all sorts of other things 100% independent of any man.

10. I'm Tougher Than I Give Myself Credit For:

I'll be the first to admit that I've been dealt some shitty cards in the relationship department but I believe I've handled them with grace, class, and dignity and that I'm honestly a much stronger person because of these experiences. There are times when I feel like I'm losing my mind, or like I'll never love again but then I realize just how much I've overcome and how empowered I've become in just a short amount of time.

11. There are More Important Things in Life Than Getting Married:

I am a very ambitious person, I also have had a life plan in place since I was little and a big part (not the biggest) but a very significant part of that plan is to get married by 30. I'll admit that for a long time whenever I would see my young married Facebook friends I would get a small pang in my heart and a little bit of a panic attack that no one would ever see me as marriage material; but then I woke up one day and realized that I'm only 23 and so young in the grand scheme of things. I really do have a long time to focus on things besides marriage before that day comes like my plans for world domination and let's face it; it's hard to take over the world when you have to check in with the Mr., amIright?