Valentine’s Day Survival Guide

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The Single Girl’s Guide to Surviving Valentine’s Day

By Mary R. Dittman, M.B.A.

Here we go: another Valentine’s Day.  This article is straight-up written for my single girlfriends out there.  Ladies, these Do’s and Don’ts will help you survive Valentine’s Day (and maybe even enjoy it (gasp)!).

DO keep Valentine’s Day in perspective.  Remember: Valentine’s Day is basically a manufactured holiday designed to sell you things.  V-Day is a major revenue generator for card companies, florists, candy makers, restaurants, jewelers, and retailers who sell cards, flowers, candy, or jewelry. 

The fact that we are so dialed in to Valentine’s Day is a testament to the power of marketing (which I am fine with, as a trained and experienced marketing expert). 

In terms of our economy, I hope to see lots of Valentine’s Day gifts around me because spending will help us continue our economic expansion (at the consumer level – not to be confused with debt-fueled government spending).

DON’T tell everyone how much you hate or don’t care about Valentine’s Day.  If you don’t care, you don’t mention it.  And, don’t be a hater!  Take it for what it is – a fake holiday.  Don’t get all upset over it.  Do you get all jacked up over Groundhog Day?  Don’t take to your social media and proclaim that it’s a stupid day – you will only sound bitter and silly.

DO buy yourself a gift.  This is something to look forward to.  It doesn’t have to be expensive.  Get yourself a small piece of jewelry or some perfume, or anything that you would enjoy.  I suggest this gift NOT be a giant box of candy that you will eat while watching Lifetime TV, because you will only hate yourself on February 15.  Trust me, I know.

DO send yourself flowers.  If seeing all your coworkers receive flowers makes you feel like you belong on the Island of Unloved Toys, send yourself flowers.  Nobody will know they’re from you, and you can say they’re from “a friend.” 

Or, you and one of your other single friends can send each other flowers.  If getting flowers at work will make you happy, then do it.

DON’T wear all black.  Exception: black cocktail dress because you’re on a date (but if you’re on a date, you probably don’t need this information). 

You don’t have to dress like cupid, but don’t mope around in your Goth-like garb as some sort of statement against the day.  Unless you actually are a Goth for the other 364 days a year, in which case, I respect you.

DON’T have an anti-Valentine party.  Also known as a pity party if your guest list is just you.  Get it together.

DO bless someone else.  There are a lot of lonely, hurting people around you who feel unloved.  If you can’t find anyone, call a nursing home or your local children’s hospital – they can help you find someone who could use some cheering up. 

Have a party for your single friends – NOT an anti-Valentine party (see above point). 

Take Valentines to your friends or coworkers who are single or struggling.  Love comes in a lot of forms.  Make the day your personal “Friend Appreciation Day” and let your friends, coworkers, boss, or pastor know how much you love and appreciate them. 

If your response to that is, “well, what about me?”  I promise you that you WILL feel fantastic if you make the day about blessing someone else.

DO something to make your day better.  Take a bubble bath, go see a movie, get a massage – do something you enjoy.  Show love to yourself: check out a new group fitness class or buy yourself a cupcake (not a dozen cupcakes, ONE cupcake).  Or, do both – workout and reward yourself with a cupcake.

Valentine’s Day only has as much power over you as YOU give it.  Find someone who is feeling worse than you are and do something nice for him or her.  I guarantee you will feel better.  Don’t torment yourself: the married folks don’t necessarily enjoy V-Day, either.  It’s pretty hurtful to be forgotten on Valentine’s Day by your beloved, and that happens a lot.  As a single, you can at least make sure you get something you want!

The choice is yours: you can torment yourself on February 14 or you can do some things to make it a good day.  A One-derful Valentine’s Day!

Struggling with heartbreak? Check out the ABC’s of Healing - this will help you move past the pain so you can get on with your life.