Sometimes it seems like you’re screwed on Valentine’s Day, whether you have a significant other or not. If you’re in a relationship, Hallmark et al. are breathing down your coupled throat, putting on the subliminal pressure to do something meaningful and romantic with your special someone. If you’re single, everyone is expecting you to break down and hide in a corner screaming, “Why me?!” while shaking your fists to the heavens. Can’t we just cross the damn thing off the calendar? No. Not an option.
Now let’s say, hypothetically, for the sake of this discussion, that you are an awesome single chick who begrudgingly acknowledges that V-Day is not going away. How do you live through it? The first thing you do is rejoice in the fact that you don’t have to try to figure out what new Apple gadget to get your boyfriend since you are morally opposed to buying him something called an iPad. Even better, you feel relieved knowing that you don’t have to pretend to be excited when he gets you a box of Whitman’s chocolates from Walgreens and forgets a card. See … isn’t this great? And do you know what is even greater? The fact that you are a strong, independent, happy woman who feels totally content and at peace with being single. Phew. Glad you finally got to that place. So, instead of throwing a pity party for one (that’s so high school), think about this: Valentine’s Day is a day to reflect upon and celebrate the love in your life. The truth is that lots of different people, places, and things fulfill our love quota — not just a significant other. Love is everywhere. (I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true.) Rather than whine about the love you don’t have, celebrate and expand the love you do have. After the jump, some ideas for surviving Valentine’s Day … single-style. Keep reading »
