Valentine's Day: the day that those who are in a relationship are extra lovey-dovey and, without malice intent, shove it in the faces of those who are single. Now, I've written about how "Being Single AF Is A-OK" before, but it is different for those who are single on Valentine's Day. For 364 days of the year it is easy, or possible, to not be bothered by the fact that we are single because being single is fun and relationships that aren't ours are not flooding every aspects of our lives. However, on this one day that happens every year, we are forced to witness everyone who is in a realtionship practice the rituals of this day in honor of the one they love. It can be very depressing and make you think that you aren't healed from your break up even if you are.
Even though I have been in a few relationships over the years, I have never been in one on Valentine's Day. That's the warning for this article: I am biased towards this dislike of this mundane and arbitrary day. I don't understand why the world needs a day to celebrate love when you should be celebrating it all the time.
I go through several stages of dealing with being single on Valentine's Day, which I like to think I have mastered due to the years of practice.
1.) The lead up
This is probably the worst stage of all. You know how you feel when you know something terrible is going to happen but its a few days away and all you can do is wait? That's the few days before Valentine's Day for me. Everyone around me starts planning what they are going to do and what they are going to give. They become all about their love and anything but. It is awesome when people who celebrate Valentine's Day don't put all this pressure on the day. It makes it easier for those that aren't participating.
Sometime's watching romantic movies is a must, just to torture yourself a little bit more. Extra credit if you choose ones known for waterworks.
2.) Waking up with expectations
Every Valentine's Day I wake up knowing it's going to be ugly. The posts upon posts of mushy-gushy love must be avoided, so are those couples that will be together on that day. I have even waitressed on Valentine's Day before. It's busy but the number of same-side seaters (two people who sit on the same side of the booth aka a nightmare for servers because it is extra awkward), constant hand-holders, and food-feeders are extra. Tips are nice though since everyone's trying to impress their dates.
Trying to avoid bad expectations is the key to surviving the day. Go into it with the mindset that "hopefully this will be a normal day" and maybe it even will.
There also isn't a need to 'like' ALL those mushy-gushy posts, so there is no need to feel obligated to double tap!
3.) Avoidance/Distractions
The best way to avoid this holiday is to distract yourself from it. Everywhere is going to be flooded with couples, so staying in and doing something at home may be your best bet. However, you can do whatever you want to do (just maybe make reservations first).
The ideas are endless: homework, reading for fun, catching up on tv or just binge watching your new obsession, rent a movie, and/or paint your nails. You could even treat yourself by getting a new coloring book. I have one and I can spend an hour or two working on different pictures while listening to music I love. You could even try cooking dinner for yourself! It could be a lot of fun! If it turns out to be a disaster, you could always go to Hooters and get some free wings (only free to those who shred a picture of their ex)!
4.) Realization
Eventually we realize, as we already knew, we are perfectly fine and happy on our own. But it is also nice when we realize that we are also in love! Maybe not with a person, but with food (can be replaced by something you're in love with)! So once I realized this, I started ordering my favorite foods to be delivered and enjoyed by myself in my bed. It is the best tradition.
5.) It's over!
And the best thing about it being over is that all that chocolate and candy is now on sale. TIME TO STOCK UP!!
Valentine's Day may suck for those that are single, but there is no reason as to why it should ruin your day. Find ways to distract you from everything that is going on because tomorrow is going to be back to normal.
