Valentine's Day Survival Kit for Singles

Valentine's day brings excitement to some, indifference to others.... and even then, some are just plain horrified by it. But really, it's not so bad.

A day to celebrate love- how bad can that be?

The problem is, it becomes a seemingly obligatory day for couples to celebrate romantic love... which, in turn:

• can leave singles feeling, well, even more single;
• can cause some couples to reserve special acts of love for one designated day, rather than acting out of spontaneous bouts of affection and appreciation more often;
• can create a sense of expectancy and disappointment when hopes and expectations are not achieved;
• can cause people to spend waaaay too much money; and
• can (ok, does) result in a slew of cheesy movies and songs taking over the television and airwaves

we have all heard the expression that valentine's day is a “hallmark holiday” because it is just another excuse to spend money trying to win favor with your admired one. But I say that valentine's day is exactly what you make it. If you want it to be a day for you to go on a spending spree and buy up the red and pink aisle, then go ahead and do it. If for you, it's just another day and you don't really care, then good for you and carry on. If you just purchased three boxes of puffs tissues, a bag of marshmallows (ok, three bags), an assortment of ice creams and chocolates, and you maxed your credit card on “depression” shoes-- then we need to talk.

There is so much more to life than to gorge yourself out on chocolates and marshmallows and waste time watching a lifetime movie marathon (ok, ok, I do it occasionally, too!) but if you have enough time to be miserable about where you are in life, then I have to say that you have too much time on your hands. If you are investing what you should be investing in life, then you shouldn't even have the opportunity to sit around feeling the humdrums.

for those of you who have reasons a through z to insist that valentine's day is simply the worst day of the year, then alas, here I bring you

the valentine's day survival kit for singles:

1. the first thing that you need is a pen and a paper. Take your pen and paper and write down the names of the first five people who cross your mind. Review your list. Review it again. Stop thinking about yourself and think about the five people on your list- who they are, what they are going through, and what you can do to better their lives. Now make a plan to do something for some or all of them-- And do it.

2. watch the passion of the christ. Try feeling sorry for yourself while/after watching that movie.
3. If you are a cuddle bug, go out and Buy an electric blanket. You can get anything from a heated throw to a full electric blanket, but either way, the warmth will be soothing and you will feel like you are cuddling, except you won't have someone else drooling on you and spilling their ice cream on you.
4. Draw, paint, sing, write, knit, crochet, cook, build, construct something with origami, trim a bonsai tree, play with legos... whatever. Reconnect with your inner child/ creative cat by discovering your hidden talents and artistic side.
5. Go out for a walk. Go ice skating. Watch the sunset and paint with the colors you saw in the sky.
6. Rearrange your room. Reorganize your closet. Fill a bag with clothes you don't wear and donate them.
7. Buy your favorite food- and eat it in moderation.
8. Spend time with your family and friends. Read a good book.
9. Discover ways to become more involved in your community.
10. Volunteer at church, a soup kitchen, a hospital, a nursing home.... or volunteer to do something beneficial for a family member, friend, or neighbor.
11. Call someone and apologize if you need to.
12. Make someone laugh. Make yourself laugh.
13. Load up your playlist with all of your favorite songs and Have a dance party by yourself. now is your chance to try those funky moves! go!
14. Play with your pets.
15. Find the missing halves to your socks.
16. Laugh at idea #15, because who would really want to spend a day or night looking for missing socks? Unless you really like socks. But who really likes socks, anyway? Isn't that why they all go missing?
17. Come up with your own list of ways to enjoy valentine's day as a single and share it with others. I'm sure that you and all of your creative goodness can top this list. So do it!

happy valentine's day to all of you lovebirds <3

and to all of you who plan to use the list above, or still insist on sulking, happy february 14^th! May it be just as much of a blessing to you as any other day :)

And remember that each day is a gift. Use it wisely. 

<3 Mel