So February 14 is around the corner. It’s like an elephant in the room and there’s no way to avoid it. Maybe you’re like me and you have a flower shop directly outside of work on the sky way level. Maybe this flower shop is a total eyesore with a countdown to Valentine’s Day scribbled on chalkboards, and placed directly in front where you can’t miss them. “17 days until Valentine’s Day!” …. “2 days until Valentine’s Day!” This particular flower shop, and hundreds of other businesses, are sending not-so-gentle reminders that Valentine’s Day is fast-approaching.
A pretty cake I could never whip up. But it sure is nice to look at.
Just like New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day will come and go. If you’re a single lady like me, you might feel the need to suppress feelings of hostility and loneliness so your couple-y friends don’t pity you. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Just because you don’t have a special someone doesn’t mean you should hate Valentine’s Day. That’s a waste of energy and it’s not necessary.
So, I wrote up a little guide to help you navigate Valentine’s Day this Friday in a happy and positive way. Here’s what you’re going to do:
Send out cheesy Valentines. Go to Target and buy the cheap boxes of kiddo Valentines. You know the ones I’m talking about with the stickers and tattoos. I bought One Direction Valentines in January (sorry to the third grader who’ll cry when her mom tells her the 1D ones are sold out. That’s on me) for my coworkers and friends. Not only are kid Valentines hilarious, they’ll show the people in your life that you care about them and that you’re thinking about them. You might just surprise someone who really needs it. (OR you can impress people and make witty Valentines with the help of Real Simple.)
Real Simple // homemade Valentines
Make plans for Valentine’s Day. You heard me. Make plans! Do you want to sit home and watch hours of Netflix alone? Of course you don’t! You’ll only set the stage for feeling vulnerable and sorry for yourself. I don’t care what you do. Visit your parents, meet up with high school friends, host a Just Dance party, round-up a bunch of your cousins and go to a movie. Just do something so you can get your mind off being alone.
Treat yourself to a salon date. Schedule a manicure, fix up those highlights or sign up for that massage you’ve been dying for. Whatever it takes. Primp! Feel pretty. Just because the dating/engaged/married girls are looking glam for Valentine’s Day weekend, doesn’t give you a free pass to look sloppy.
Pick up a heart-shaped pizza from Pizza Murphy’s. Do I need to justify this? It’s the best Valentine’s Day special ever for $7! You can’t even go to a movie for $7 anymore. Trust me on this one, you won’t regret it. Devour it yourself or share it with friends. I’ll leave that up to you and I won’t judge.
Papa Murphy’s “HeartBaker” Pizza
BE HAPPY. Now I’m getting a little cheesy but…what makes you laugh your face off? Is it YouTube videos of kids falling off swing sets? (Guilty.) Is it your favorite SNL skit? Is it giving your brother or best friend a quick call? Do something that makes you laugh really, really hard.
And if you really, really just want to stay in… I get you. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be alone. But whatever you do, get off social media. Ignore Facebook and Instagram. Out of sight, out of mind. Make sense?
Just because you don’t have someone now, doesn’t mean you won’t have someone forever. There’s a difference between being alone, and being lonely. Which one do you want to be?
And for more single girl tips, check out my guide to surviving New Year’s Eve post. Have a HAPPY Valentine’s Day everyone!
this brunette loves coffee 