The Benefits of Being Alone on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day can be a sweet dream or your worst nightmare. It is all in how you view the festivities, and your life.

Being single on Valentine’s Day has become one of the most depressing, and overplayed, stereotypes in the world. There are Hollywood blockbusters that are built around the idea that being alone on Valentine’s Day is some kind of curse, when the reality of a solo Valentine’s Day is a great deal more positive then you would first imagine.

For starters you need to consider why you are alone on Valentine’s Day. Chances are that you are single for a reason, and NO that reason is not because you are ‘flawed’ or ‘damaged’. I am willing to bet you are single because you have not found that special person that makes you feel fulfilled (love-wise). Most of us are single at some point in our lives because we have made the choice to be, we have decided that we will not settle for anything less than what we deserve, and that is an amazing and empowering decision.

Photos, media and movies depict a solo Valentine’s as sad and miserable. The world is built around the idea of love, which is a beautiful thing when it is ‘real’.

BUT…

Being alone is a beautiful thing as well and it has some serious benefits, especially around Valentine’s Day. In order to see the plus side of singledom during this holiday we must first understand that the only real benefit of Valentine’s Day is seen in the cashiers till at the florist, candy shop and plush toy store. Restaurants  shops and card companies use the commercialization of this day to cash in, and THAT is why the ‘alone and lonely’ stereotype actually exists.  Truth be told, there are plenty of benefits to being alone on Valentine’s Day.

The Benefits of a Solo Valentine’s:

• You can save a TON of cash – Most of us are rushing around looking for the perfect gift for our spouse or partner. The cost of flowers, candy and cakes has doubled in most stores. Anything ‘red, pink or heart shaped’ is in high demand, and often costs a pretty penny. Reservations for fancy restaurants have been booked months in advance, and people are paying a fortune for special ‘Valentine’s Day’ events that boast increased romance, and promise love. You can be happy knowing that you have saved yourself the empty wallet that follows this expensive day, and eat your favorite meal in the quiet of your home instead. OR if you choose to fly solo out and about, you should have no issue finding a singles table at almost any restaurant. 
• You don’t have to deal with the dreaded Pepto Bismol look that is Valentine’s Decor – Pink has become ‘the’ color for Valentines decor and this means that many shops, restaurants and even cafe’s have the look of being covered in acid reducer. If you are a fan of pink all the power to you, but if you are like I am (I enjoy my pink, but in moderation) you can benefit from avoiding this overwhelming shock of powder-puff-princess every where you turn.
• You can connect with other single – And perhaps lift their spirits too. If you have been through a miserable Valentine’s Day, then so have 90% of your friends, as well as complete strangers. Once you have embraced the benefits of being by yourself on Valentine’s Day share the wealth and knowledge with others. If you have a lot of single friends why not throw a party and enjoy the freedom you have. After-all you chose it, right?
• You can lay around in your pajama’s if you want to – Without worrying what anyone else thinks. The pressure of having a ‘date’ on Valentines Day is enormous, especially if it is with someone new. So many people feel the pressure not to be alone that they arrange first dates on this day and end up ever more miserable stressing over being a good date, rather than just accepting what is and enjoying themselves. This is not to say it is not a good day as any to get out there if your ready, but don’t do it just t avoid being alone.
• Be content knowing that you do not need a ‘Day’ to show your love – This goes for singles and couples, though the thought of taking a day to declare your love is a lovely thing, all too often it ends up being one of the very few days that this is done. Be content in knowing that when the right man/women comes along you will be comfortable enough having been alone to be able to fully share yourself with another person every day!
• BONUS: February 15th all Valentines Chocolate will be 50% off!!!
  (and you won’t be worried about the calories from the day before!)

There are many other benefits to being alone on Valentine’s Day, above are only a few of the ones that I have found important in my life over the years. They are the ones that have helped me to remember why I chose to be single, and that have prevented me from being swept away in the tide that is the commercialization of this day.

If you are a hopeless romantic that lives the year just for this day, then good for you, do what makes you feel happiest, but if you find yourself down in the dumps refer to this list for a quick reminder of why it is not so bad to be alone on Valentine’s Day this year, and remember to share it with your friends.

Until Next Time…

Love with all your heart and soul, yourself. 

What are some of the benefits to being alone on Valentine`s Day that you have learned over the years?

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