Single on valentines day – a survival guide

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the pressure of celebrating is thrust upon us by the ribbons, bows, hearts and flowers which adorn the shop windows. Like any other commercially viable venture, the card and gift stores are rubbing their hands with glee, ready to cash in on the one day of the year that even the most cynical amongst us might bend and buckle in the name of romance.

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Valentine’s Day is actually quite a miserable day for many people because for the singleton it accentuates the fact that they are still on the search to find their perfect partner. The world is set up for couples at the best of times – restaurants don’t set up a table for one as a general rule and even bus seats are in twos! So to have to get through a day that is dedicated to happy couples the world over is never going to be welcomed with open arms for those who are settling down with a meal for one and the remote control.

Whether you believe in the hype or not, most people can’t help wondering if they will get a card posted through the door but mainly this is met with disappointment and yet originally Valentine’s Day was designed for the singleton as it was a time when a prospective love interest would register their intentions. Now however, it seems that the day is reserved mostly for those in relationships, leaving the rest of the world excluded.

If you are single as the dreaded day approaches, here are some things you need to remember that will make you feel glad that you aren’t part of the hype.

The fact that you are single means that the right person hasn’t come along yet and the fact that you won’t settle for second best is well worth celebrating. Make a point of treating yourself to something really nice like a pampering session at the local spa or an Indian head massage to help you relax and unwind. You are far too important to wait for someone else’s validation – giving yourself some “me” time is the best gift of all on Valentine’s day.

Plenty of couples feel let down on February 14th because their expectations are just not met. This leads to rows and arguments with all manner of horrible feelings being dredged up because bitterness is a side effect to many relationships that seems to fester over time, to many couples, Valentine’s morning leads to the proverbial popping of the spot when it has come to its infected head!

The day itself is full of forced sentiment for many. Who on earth wants to be told when and how they should feel about love on any given day? This is not normal or natural but yet many people come February 14th will be spending money, even if they shouldn’t be doing so in the current climate, because they haven’t got the courage to turn their backs on such nonsense. It puts pressure on the poor to demonstrate their love through materialistic means and adds to an already stressful financial circumstance.

Please do not get me wrong here and think I am cynical and unromantic for this could not be more untrue. I am terribly romantic and I have given and received many loving gifts and gestures in my time but I would rather show and receive these sentiments with the right person at the right time. The honesty of love shines through when it is shown spontaneously, not on a day that is set up to make profit by selling overpriced roses.

My apologies in advance if this article has advertisements for Valentine’s Day because I have no control on what will appear. However, if you are faced with such an advert then I hope you will be able to laugh it off as irony and proof of just how commercial the day has become!