After the storm of heart-shaped chocolates and scattered rose petals has passed, those of us who don’t have a Valentine eagerly await Feb. 15, when the candies go on sale, so that we can stuff our faces in solitude and ponder why we have to go through another year single.
But why must Valentine’s Day be so dreaded when you’re not in a relationship? We look around at our peers that are enamored of their significant others and groan. But fellow singles, it doesn’t have to be like this.
Here are seven tips on how to get through the aftermath of Valentine’s Day:
1. Avoid social media.
Navigating through Instagram the day after is a guarantee that you will be dodging countless numbers of pictures just emphasizing the fact that you had no one to take a cute “V-Day” picture with. It is best to just avoid checking your timelines until the day is over.
2. Take yourself to dinner.
After the frenzy of packed restaurants and lengthy lists of reservations for dinner on Valentine's Day, the next day will be far less busy. So take advantage of the calm and dine at your favorite restaurant. Everyone else will have already spent their money on the expensive Valentine's Day bundles that so many restaurants offer.
3. Go to the theater and see that romantic movie you know you want to see.
The film industry knows exactly what they’re doing when releasing romance movies in the first two weeks of February. The problem with this? Everyone is taking their significant other to go see it. But if you go after Valentine’s Day, you have a greater chance of the theater being empty so that you can enjoy your extra large, extra-buttered popcorn in peace.
4. Invite your friends to a lunch picnic/outing.
It’s like your very own “date,” but without the added pressure of needing to have minty breath and shaved legs. So pick up a bottle of wine (or sparkling cider), and whatever suits your fancy, and enjoy the day with your friends.
5. Go to your favorite grocery store or market and pick up a bouquet of flowers.
Who says someone has to buy them for you? Spend a couple of dollars on yourself; every time you walk by them or give them a whiff, you'll remember that you are your own biggest fan.
6. Buy the clearance candy.
This is possibly the best part about the days following the holiday. Candy goes on sale and you can feel free to pile up on your favorites. Don't let the judgmental stare of the store clerk offend you when you're ready to check out with nine boxes of chocolates, either.
7. Remember that it’s not the end of the world.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being alone on Valentine's Day. After all, it's just another day. It's important to remind yourself that it's okay to be single and that there's always next year.
It isn’t always easy to deal with February creeping up on us, but it doesn’t have to be difficult to deal with. Even though Valentine’s Day is the holiday that most single people dread, those that are not in a relationship should look at it as an opportunity to treat themselves. So take advantage of the days following and spend some quality time with yourself.
