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1. Unplug -

Taking a little break from social media is never a bad idea, but on Valentine’s Day it might be essential. Be mindful of the media you consume, or just take a break from all of it for the day.

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1. Unplug -

There’s guaranteed to be an influx of couples photos and declarations of love that you may not want to see. In particular, staying off social media will reduce temptation to check up on your ex!

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1. Unplug - Even Netflix is bound to be littered with Valentine’s Day movies and sickening rom-coms, so you may want to have a few pre-approved options saved to your watch list, or avoid the platform altogether.

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2. Do something your ex hated -

Relationships are all about compromise, but one upside of being single is that you don’t have to compromise anymore! Do something you love that you could never do with your ex.

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2. Do something your ex hated -

Binge every episode of ‘Bridgerton’ in one day, order your favorite Indian food, or try that new workshop you've been meaning to. Whatever tickles your fancy!

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3. Make it about love - You don’t need a romantic partner to celebrate love. Why not take the opportunity to show your appreciation for those you care about? Whether that be friends, family, a four-legged companion, or yourself!

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4. Make a friend date -

Friends can be a great source of support on Valentine’s Day, and may be in need of some support themselves. Reach out to those that know you and understand what you’re going through, and plan something fun.

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4. Make a friend date -

Depending on your situation, you could plan a fun activity for your friends or a Netflix party for those you can’t see face to face. Order a pizza and watch a movie that totally sh*ts on romance!

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5. Write a love letter - In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, why not take the opportunity to show someone you care? A handwritten letter is a rare thing these days, and such a treat to receive. Write a little letter to someone you care about and tell them why they’re so special to you, whether it’s a parent, an aunt, a friend, and so on.

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5. Write a love letter -

You’ll get a good buzz from this act of kindness and the therapeutic process of writing down your feelings. You can even write a letter to yourself. You deserve the same kindness and love you show to others.

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6. Allow yourself to be sad - Western culture focuses so much on “positivity” and achieving happiness that it’s easy to forget that being sad is a natural part of life. We don’t always need to fight it!

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6. Allow yourself to be sad - Research shows that recognizing and labeling our emotions helps us deal with them better. If you recognize that you’re feeling sad on Valentine’s Day, you’ll be more in tune with your experience and hopefully avoid excessive wallowing!

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6. Allow yourself to be sad -

We don’t need to numb ourselves to negative emotions or be afraid of them. The important thing to remember is that they won’t last forever and that you’re strong enough to make it through this tough day.

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7. Take care of yourself -

If you’re having an especially hard time, think about what you would do for a friend who was in your position. Maybe you’d rush over to their place with pizza and wine to remind them that they’re strong and beautiful, and reassure them that everything will be okay.

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7. Take care of yourself -

We are each responsible for being our own best friend. Only you truly know what you’re feeling and what you need, so you’re the best person to comfort yourself during hard times. Self-sufficiency and resilience are things we learn through difficult experiences like breakups, so it’s a great time to learn to show yourself love and kindness.

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7. Take care of yourself -

Lizzo’s song ‘Soulmate’ basically says it all: “I’m my own soulmate / I know how to love me.” Take some time to consider how you can truly take care of yourself. Whether it’s some form of exercise or meditation, an artistic outlet you’ve been neglecting, or starting online therapy, what better time to do something kind for yourself than the day of love.

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8. Movie marathon -

Just because you don’t have a date doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the beauty of the human form! Why not try a movie marathon starring your favorite celeb?

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9. Educate yourself - And just because your romantic life isn’t benefiting from V-Day this year doesn’t mean you can’t learn something about love. There are plenty of fascinating documentaries out there that explain the science behind love.

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9. Educate yourself -

There are also a great range of Ted Talks on the subjects of love and relationships. For instance, Helen Fisher gives a talk on what happens in the brain when we're in love, and Ester Perel explores why people cheat.

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10. Buy yourself a treat -

This might be a more shallow one, but why not put the wasted money previously spent on chocolates and lingerie towards something you truly want for yourself. That could be a luxurious bath set, or a beautiful but pricey book. Treat yourself!

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11. Take a note from South Korean culture -

On April 14, Koreans celebrate a special holiday called Black Day. It's basically the anti-Valentine's Day and its purpose is to celebrate singles! Single friends gather together in restaurants to eat a dish called jajangmyeon and have fun.

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11. Take a note from South Korean culture - Couples culture in South Korea is pretty rigid, so this recent holiday is a mark of defiance against expectations of early marriage. Being a person who doesn’t settle for a relationship just to satisfy the status quo and avoid loneliness is something to be proud of! Single life is definitely worth celebrating.

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12. Refresh your look - A post-breakup makeover is a longstanding stereotype, but it’s undeniable that a new look can give you a little boost! Maybe it’s time to take a trip to the salon for something a little different.

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12. Refresh your look -

But be careful not to go too adventurous if you’re going through some big emotions. Breakup bangs or extreme buzzcuts are not always a good idea.

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13. Send yourself flowers - Flowers are traditionally a romantic gift, and people (single or otherwise) often complain that no one ever sends them flowers. Why do we need someone else to send us flowers? Send them to yourself! Visit your favorite florist and pick out something beautiful to brighten up your home, or order them online for a delayed treat.

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14. Start a new tradition - If you used to have a tradition with your ex, why not start a new tradition that doesn’t rely on a romantic partner? You can start to associate positive memories with Valentine’s Day that won’t be sullied by a breakup.

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14. Start a new tradition -

Your new tradition could be something totally unrelated to Valentine's Day that improves your sense of well-being, like volunteering or giving blood. Alternatively, you can create a solo ritual or a plan with friends.

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15. Remind yourself of the positives -

Remember that being single is better than being in a relationship that isn’t right. It’s easy to start getting sentimental and idealizing your ex around Valentine’s Day, but don’t forget that it didn’t work out for a reason.

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15. Remind yourself of the positives -

Being single and being alone are not the same thing. All of that Valentine’s Day marketing confuses us into thinking we need a romantic partner to give us love. In reality, we’re surrounded by love in all its different shapes and forms. Focus on all the love you have in your life, rather than love you don't!

Sources: (Elite Daily) (Insider) (HuffPost) 

See also: Single and satisfied: famous women on the power of being alone

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