Anne Shaffer
Associate Features Editor
Despite the fact that there are signs, TV ads, and radio commercials advertising the lovers’ favorite holiday, there is a good portion of the population which will probably be spending Feb. 14 without a significant other.
“If my friend’s boyfriend proposes to her, I’ll probably be staying in my room eating Ben & Jerry’s,” said Ellen Dochat, a Millersville senior.
It’s a common enough reaction. In an article for the Huffington Post, Dr. Michael S. Broder, a psychologist, states that he sees many people in his practice who feel badly about being single during the month of February.
He insists, however, that just because you’re single does not mean you should be depressed. Instead, he says, “honor your single status by acknowledging it in a positive light.”
There are a number of ways for people who are single to celebrate on the holiday, starting with throwing a good old fashioned party.
About.com suggests a fondue party. The holiday is, after all, famous for its advertisement of chocolate, so having a whole party centered on the candy only makes sense. Or, if you’re not into fondue, “make it a theme party,” said Cosmopolitan, “like suggesting that everyone wear all pink (or black, if you caught the ‘Singles Awareness Day’ bug).”
Or, if you don’t want to spend the night in, go out. Instead of partying inside, Cosmopolitan advises taking the party to the bowling alley, a restaurant, or a karaoke club.
Make Valentine’s Day a movie night. Spend it with your celebrity crush, says Cosmopolitan, whether it is George Clooney or Natalie Portman.
Valentine’s Day is also an opportunity to focus on the most important person: you. Chris Illuminati says, in an article for AskMen, a men’s lifestyle website, that being single on Valentine’s Day means that you have an opportunity to treat yourself: “Buy that gadget you’ve been eyeing since before Christmas, splurge on a new wardrobe or just drop it all on a guilty pleasure like a massage.”
For girls, Cosmopolitan suggests a manicure and pedicure, a new necklace, or a cute new haircut.
Illuminati also states that Valentine’s Day is a good time to revisit a neglected hobby. “It will help you forget about Valentine’s Day and will give you a sense of accomplishment when you’ve completed the task,” he said.
Valentine’s Day also offers the opportunity to do good for others. Find a local place to volunteer, or spend the day with an elderly relative, says About.com. If people don’t appeal to you on the romantic holiday, head to an animal shelter. Shelters may need help exercising animals or with other related tasks. The danger here is that you might want to take home a new friend.
The most important thing to remember on Valentine’s Day is that being single is not bad. It is not the end of the world.
Dr. Laura S. Brown, a professor of psychology at Argosy University in Seattle, states on Chiff.com that “‘love is not about a particular day, or about cards, flowers, or even being in a relationship.’”
Valentine’s Day is a commercialized holiday, says Chiff.com, so the main focus for companies is making money. It’s important not to define yourself by your relationship status.
Dr. Michael Broder stated in the Huffington Post, “loneliness is not about being by yourself. It’s more about the faulty notion that the rest of the world is having a party and you weren’t invited…So try to make this February 14th a day that’s just like—or even better than—any other day of the year.”
