I'm not sure what it is with our society, but every single time a holiday ends, we are so determined to rush into the next one.

It's no surprise that as soon as Christmas and New Year's passed, the endless heart-shaped candy, flowers, and clashing pink and red turn up everywhere.

The worst part about Valentine's Day isn't that we see these things all over the shelves at Target or even in the sprinkles on the doughnuts at Dunkin'. It's that the holiday is a simple reminder for all of us single people that we are, well, single once again this year.

Now, I could write a whole blog about how being single sucks, which at times it can. Instead, I decided I'm going to embrace the fact that being single can actually be pretty freaking awesome.

1. You don't have to spend money on anyone.

Since some college or university is most likely stealing all of your money from you anyway, that probably means you can barely rub two pennies together. Unfortunately, that also means you don't have time to be spending the money you do make on a significant other. At least when you do get that paycheck, you can spend it on doing something for yourself after working so hard. Go spend some of those "fun coupons" and treat yo' self, you earned it.

2. You can do whatever you want.

Wait, really? Yes! No boyfriend or girlfriend means you never have to answer to someone about the things you want to do. Want to go on a cross-country road trip with friends? Want to go to that party Friday night? Want to go get a tattoo? Sweet, then go! You have no one getting mad at you for the decisions you make, so do whatever it is that you want. You're free, my friend.

3. You don't have to pretend you actually care.

Not that helping out with people's problems is a burden, but when you are constantly worrying about the direction your own life is headed, having to worry about one fewer person's problems can be a stress reliever.

4. You don't have to share your food (unless you're friends with me).

No boyfriend or girlfriend also means you don't have to share any of your food. Dive in, it's all yours. If you're friends with me, though, I'm sorry to say that we will most likely be sharing. Don't worry, I might share with you too.

5. It gives you the opportunity to focus on you and your happiness.

Dating someone means you are constantly having to worry about someone else, but when you're single, the only person you have to focus on is you. That means you can spend all of your time finding what it is that makes you the happiest and how you are going to pursue your goals. When you learn to be happy with who you are, you'll realize just how much your happiness really does come from you and not another person. Once you're happy with yourself, only then can you learn to let someone else love you too. After all, how do you expect other people to love you if you can't even love yourself?

6. You appreciate your friends more.

Having friends that will do anything and everything for you is just proof that you don't need to be dating someone in order to be loved. You are constantly surrounded by the people who love you the most, so screw having a boyfriend or girlfriend this Valentine's Day. You've already got everything you need.

7. Who said you can't actually celebrate Valentine's Day?

There's no shame in sending yourself some flowers, chocolates, or something else you really want this Valentine's Day. You went a whole another year without some man or woman in your life, and you know what? You are a strong, independent person who doesn't need them anyway.

So this Valentine's Day, don't be depressed that you're not in a relationship. Celebrate the fact you made it through another year being able to do things on your own and look at how far you've come. The only reason you are where you are is because you are the one who got yourself there in the first place.

So, you can choose to be one of those bitter, single people on Valentine's Day, or you can choose to embrace the fact that you're single. Sure, it's nice to have someone, but you're young and will find Mr. or Mrs. Right someday. This year, being single should be enough.

Happy Valentine's Day to you.