How to survive Valentine’s Day: A single’s guide

Being+single+on+Valentine%E2%80%99s+does+not+mean+you+have+to+spend+it+alone.

Tiffany Trent

Being single on Valentine’s does not mean you have to spend it alone.

Kat Diltz, Staff Writer

Being single doesn’t mean you have to be miserable on Valentine’s Day.

As someone who is single more often than not, I have accepted the fact that until I am in a serious relationship, I obviously won’t be participating in the traditional Valentine’s Day customs. However, that doesn’t mean that I should sit at home and feel sorry for myself while my friends who have coupled up are having a good time. Here are a few ways to get through Valentine’s Day if you are single.

Ignore it. Treat it as if it’s just another day—which in a way, it is. Start a project that you have been putting off, treat yourself to something that you have had your eye on or start a new TV show or book.

Spend the day with people you love. Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love, but that is not exclusive to only romantic love. Show your best friends and/or family how much you care about them by planning a friends/family day; stay in to cook dinner, bake a cake or cookies together, watch all your favorite movies or start new traditions.

If you’ve recently gotten out of a relationship, focus on yourself. Spend the money that you would have spent on your now ex on yourself. Purchase something that you’ve wanted for a long time. You deserve it.

Do something nice for another person. Buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you at Starbucks, hold the door for someone, compliment a stranger. Nothing bad can happen from spreading positivity.

Use the holiday to your advantage. Many restaurants and clubs hold mixers for single people who are willing to meet other potential dates. Even if you don’t meet anyone who you click with, you could network with others for business/school-­related topics or make a new friend.

No matter what your plans are for this Valentine’s Day, enjoy yourself and have fun.