A girl kissing her dog — My forever valentine

When I think of Valentine’s day, I think back to being in elementary school. I would spend so much time carefully handcrafting the box that my Valentine’s would go into. I would agonize over which valentines to get for my classmates. What character of what popular show represented me best this year? Or should we go with puppies and kittens because that’s always a crowd pleaser? Then, what candy do I tape to the little card? Or do I instead go with a temporary tattoo? Either option is good, the class will like either but what will my closest friends like? There was no messing around at my elementary school.

Valentine’s day also brings to mind the times my dad came home with flowers and chocolates for my mom and me. I felt so grown up and special.

Then when my sister moved away and I got older, we would send valentine’s day cards with maybe candy or something fun we picked up for each other.

Because of these memories, Valentine’s day has never been a trigger for me during my singledom. However, I’ve been single for a few years now. Even though it’s not something that really bothers me, it always crosses my mind on February 14th that here I am, single. Instead of scrolling on Instagram to see what I’m missing out on (the number one DO NOT DO on Valentine’s day if you’re single), I have always managed to find something fun to do on this arbitrary date. So grab your other single friends and get goin.

girl standing in front of houses wearing a black sweater with a heart on the front, links through the purchase sweater on amazon — For a cute Valentine’s day sweater, click the picture

1. Go to the movies with your girlfriends

My friends and I usually steer in the direction of something where there will be nary a guy in the theater. Such as The Fifty Shades trilogy and this year, Isn’t It Romantic?

2. Go rock climbing, hiking, bike ride, rollerblading etc

I always feel a sense of accomplishment when engaging in physical activity. I know that sometimes being single in a world encouraging you to have babies, like now…can be hard. It can sometimes feel like “failing” or “missing out” but being active gives you a new goal and something else to focus on. Bring your friends along to cheer each other on.

3. Attend a painting, pottery, whatever class

These are so fun and usually include wine.

4. Volunteer

Help out at a shelter, a rescue foundation, a retirement home. Sometimes, getting out of our own heads gives us perspective.

5. Go out for a fancy dinner

Grab your smokin’ hot friends, get all dolled up, and go out for a nice dinner. No one needs a man to go out for a nice meal on Valentine’s day. Treat yo’ self!

6. Cross off a bucket list item

Whether that’s something you’ve always wanted to try in your city or if you can actually cross one off the big “life bucketlist”, experince something new.

7. Get some perspective

Realize the following:

This is an arbitrary date that does not define your worth in or out of relationships
Enjoy your time being single. You will be with someone (if you so choose) much longer then you are single. Enjoy the time to just be in your own skin, learn about yourself, and hang with your friends whenever
Shift Valentine’s day to being a day for a significant other to being a day for the people you love which leads me to #8

8. Shower your friends and family with love

This day will no longer seem daunting or mocking if you realize that it is a day about love. So celebrate what love you do have in your life. Call your parents. Send your grandparents a card. Organize the night out for your girlfriends. Show the people you love how much you love them on a day built for it.

9. Practice self-love

Take a bubble bath, watch a favorite movie or trashy tv, read a book, paint your nails, put on a facemask. Whatever you feels good and pampered, insert here. If you feel like you need a quiet night at home to listen to music and take care of you, do that.

10. Host a party

If even the possibility of going out and potentially being around couples irks you, then host a party! Have all your girlfriends over, order a pizza, play games, take pictures, and drink all the wine. Even better if you everyone brings a dessert and wears pjs.

Whatever you do the 14th of February, remember you are so loved. Enjoy being single. Remember, the grass is greener where you water it. Take your single time to invest in you. That sounds like a great use of a random day in February to me.