Just because you’re single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean that you have to spend the holiday alone in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Here are a few ideas to make ‘Single’s Awareness Day’ a little less painful and WAY more enjoyable.
1. Rally the Posse
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”
- Oprah Winfrey
If you find yourself overcome with a lamentable lack of a love life this Valentine’s Day, you are probably not alone. In fact, it is safe to bet that many of your friends and acquaintances are in the same boat. Now, while it is probably the most cliché item on our list, it can also prove to be the most fun. So, pick up the phone and rally the posse!
Just because you are single doesn’t mean that you have to be alone on the Day of Hearts. NO! Shoot your closest friends and acquaintances a text, inviting them to join you for an exciting night of dining and wining. Take a trip to the nearest city, where you can experience a new restaurant and indulge in scrumptious conversation and a delicious meal, drink, and dessert (God, don’t forget dessert!). And remember, the good thing about dessert and romantic solitude is that you don’t have to share (Wink, wink.)!
2. “One ticket for . . .”
“A good movie can take you out of your dull funk and [ . . . ] hopelessness [ . . . ] A good movie can make you feel alive again, in contact, not just lost in another city.”
- Pauline Kael
If all of your friends are enchanted by Cupid’s starry gaze, it may be high time to take matters into your own hands. Just because you’re single doesn’t mean that you have to spend Valentine’s Day contemplating the fact. Instead, order your favorite takeout or pop some corn and check out these wonderful flicks that speak to the power of solitude, most of which are available at your fingertips on Netflix, Redbox, Amazon Prime, or as an Amazon rental!
Love Actually (2003)—A Christmas themed feel-good film about the many complexities of love, Love Actually showcases a variety of people, circumstances, and emotions that are sure to inspire you, no matter where you find yourself on the romance spectrum.
Elizabeth (1998)—This critically acclaimed British biopic will challenge everything you may think about leading a single existence. Showcasing the life of Queen Elizabeth I, played by Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth portrays the personal struggles and romantic woes of the female monarch, holding true to the fact that power comes from within, not whose hand you may hold.
Wild (2014)—Based on the New York Times bestselling memoir by Cheryl Strayed, Wild is a story of a woman who has lost everything. Plagued by her mother’s untimely death and lack of familial support, Cheryl, played by Reese Witherspoon, finds herself on the downward path of addiction, resulting in a painful divorce. But despite her circumstances, she rises to the challenge of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, which she discovers while hiking the 1,100-mile trek of the Pacific Crest Trail. (A synopsis of the book version can be found at http://bit.ly/2kdjjpa. Check it out, too!)
How to be Single (2016)— Experience the hilarious lives of four young singles as they navigate love, relationships, and singleness in New York City. Truly, there’s no need to feel alone with this belly-busting cast; How to be Single, a romantic/not-so-romantic comedy, is sure to make you feel like you’re amongst your most hilarious friends and will teach you how to do single the right way.
Uptown Girls (2003)—Starring the late Brittany Murphy as Molly Gunn, a carefree rock legend heiress, this comedy is just what the doctor ordered this Valentine’s Day. Left with an immense sense of emptiness after a single night of romance and pleasure—not to mention the recent death of her father—Molly, upon realizing that her accountant has embezzled the entirety of her sizeable trust fund is forced into the real world. Taking on a job as a nanny for a spoiled and sophisticated 8-year-old (Dakota Fanning), she arrives at the realization that love—no matter the struggles that accompany it—has no explicit definition and comes in all shapes and sizes.
3. Puppy Love
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”
- Josh Billings
Okay, so not all of you may be dog lovers (If you’re not, what on EARTH is wrong with you?!). But if you are privileged enough to be greeted at the end of the day by a pair of floppy ears and a wagging tail, look no further for your valentine! Whether it’s just cuddling on the couch or a walk in the park, spending time with your pooch is a GREAT way to experience the holiday! Heck, you can even get a little creative with your furry friend by looking up some dog-friendly cafés and shops to visit, or by renting a few pet-inspired films to watch together while enjoying an ice cream cone. Not only will your dog love you even more for the attention, but you are certain to feel loved, too.
*Note: This experience is not exclusive to canines (Although, I wouldn’t attempt it with a fish. No. Not a fish.)
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