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With Valentine’s Day hovering around, the brainstorming for gifts, date ideas, and sneaky surprises is in full swing! It’s that delightful time of the year when love is in the air, and so are our attentively planned and eagerly anticipated romantic adventures. 

We’ve indeed turned Valentine’s Day into a tradition of celebrating love and admiration. But in case you missed it, there’s a whole spectrum of love to celebrate! We have, of course, the highly celebrated romantic love, but also the often underrated and overlooked types – platonic love and self-love.

Now, don’t fret if you’ve only ticked two out of the three love boxes. Most often than not, it’s the platonic and self-love that need nurturing as these are the types that tend to stick around the longest and are the hardest to take away from us. 

So, what to do on valentine’s day for singles, huh.

Well, you’re in luck! We’ve put together a ‘survival guide’ for all the single ladies and gentlemen out there to have a blast on Valentine’s Day! Basically, it’s a “do valentine’s day your way tips” for single people.

Let’s begin, shall we?

1.Take the day for yourself

To ease any feelings of unworthiness or loneliness on Valentine’s Day, focus on doing things that make you happy. There are plenty of enjoyable activities you can do solo.

Head to your favorite cafe or restaurant.  Sure, you may be surrounded by lovebirds, but find solace in knowing that the love you give to yourself is no less significant than the type of love that is shared among couples.

Moreover, consider buying your favorite flowers, treating yourself to a spa day, or going on a shopping spree. By the end of the day, you will feel much better and lighter by loving yourself enough not to wait for anyone to do these therapeutic and fun things with you or for you.

Most importantly, finding peace with yourself and genuinely enjoying your time alone is the ultimate victory.

2. Stay off social media

To sidestep the trap of comparisons and the fear of missing out (FOMO) on the most romantic day of the year, steer clear of social media. We’ve set ourselves up with standards that are both impractical and disheartening at this point. 

Furthermore, hanging around on social media might tempt you to delve into stalking your exes or others with whom you share a history. Worst of all, you might even entertain the thought of reaching out! Don’t underestimate the turbulence that yearning can stir up. 

While it’s natural to miss people, consider channeling that energy into crafting a yearning poem instead of endlessly stalking them and reopening old wounds. That’s not one you would aim to do on a Valentine’s Day for singles! 

So, for the day, uninstall your social media apps, and focus on prioritizing your peace and finding joy in the little things.

3. Hang out with your single friends

You may also opt to enjoy the day with friends who have no other plans on Valentine’s! This way, you wouldn’t feel so alone. Sharing a good talk and laughter with people you love is always enjoyable, and friends are perfect for that. Consider planning dinner together, visiting a bookstore, or even organizing a karaoke session to add some extra fun.

The warmth of a love that asks for nothing in return except your company and the creation of memories exists; it’s the so-called platonic love. Never make the mistake of letting go of your platonic love to chase after a romantic love that might not be meant for you just yet.

4. Create traditions

Establishing your own ritual on Valentine’s Day helps you anticipate the occasion, whether or not you have a partner by next year. After doing so, you won’t feel down wondering what to do on the next Valentine’s Day because you’ve already crafted your own celebration. No more anxiously hoping for a partner just to enjoy the day. (No more searching What to do on Valentine’s Day for Singles on the internet.) As they say, the more you detach from the idea, the more it effortlessly comes to you.

Here are some things you might include in your Valentine’s Day tradition:

Watch Rom-Coms/Feel-Good Movies

A movie marathon never disappoints! There’s an endless list of romantic comedy films to enjoy on Valentine’s Day. Romcoms and feel-good movies are especially uplifting for single people, showing that good, cute, and romantic things can happen to everyone. Start with classics like 10 Things I Hate About You, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 13 Going on 30, Amelie, and more.

Also Read: Throwback Thursday: 24 Kdramas to binge this Valentines Day

Get Lost in a Playlist

Whether it’s an upbeat and uplifting playlist or a gut-wrenching, devastating one – it’s up to you! The bottom line is to feel your emotions. Whether you want to wallow in self-despair or lift your spirits with self-love anthems, it’s your choice. There’s no harm in feeling emotions; that’s what music and other forms of art are for. Just remember not to identify yourself with them. Allow yourself to feel sad, but don’t let it become your narrative that you are sad.

Write a Letter to Yourself

Amid treating yourself to dates outside or buying things you love, writing a letter to yourself might be the sweetest thing you could do. Write a letter to yourself as you would to a partner. Highlight the things you love about yourself and reminisce about the best memories you have with yourself. Pour out all the love you could give to someone to yourself first, and everything else will follow. You deserve to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day just as much as anyone else.

Final Thoughts

Navigating Valentine’s Day as a single individual can be an empowering and fulfilling experience. By embracing self-love and focusing on personal happiness, you can turn this day into a celebration of your own special journey.

So, let this be your survival guide to not just endure, but truly enjoy Valentine’s Day as a single individual. Here’s to embracing self-love, creating your own traditions, and finding happiness in your own company!

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