How to Cope With Being Alone on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day can be depressing if you don't have a valentine to share it with - it can also be lots of fun, if you focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives.

Difficulty:

Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Candles
• Flowers
• Boxes Of Chocolates
• Gourmet Foods
• Bath Oils
• Movie Tickets

1. Do something nice for yourself like taking a long, hot bath by candlelight, or pull out your credit card and a catalog and have fun.

2. Rent or go to an action movie, preferably one in which at least one of the prospective love interests gets killed off near the beginning. (James Bond films are great for this.)

3. Avoid romantic "date" movies completely, unless you like feeling melancholy.

4. Buy yourself a bouquet of your favorite flowers or a box of your favorite chocolates - at least you get to choose exactly what you want this way!

5. Do something you've never done before. Go hang gliding or horseback riding, sign up for dance classes or singing lessons, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

6. Go somewhere that isn't likely to be pushing the Valentine's Day theme. Sporting or theatrical events are good possibilities.

7. Have some fun with your other single friends. Rent movies and get takeout food, go to a nightclub, or have dinner together at a nice restaurant. Call it an "Un-Valentine" party if you like.

8. Get a head start on planning your St. Patrick's Day party or spring vacation.

9. Call or write to someone you've lost touch with - could be just a friend, or someone you once had a crush on.

10. Help brighten the day for someone else who may be spending it alone: Take some flowers to a local nursing home.

Tips & Warnings

• A solo Valentine's Day can be a good time to sit down and write a detailed list of goals and dreams for your own bright future. Remember: Only you can make your life what you want it to be, with or without a significant other.

• If you decide to take yourself out for dinner on Valentine's Day, bring a book or journal to keep yourself occupied; this will make it obvious to restaurant staff and patrons that you planned to eat alone, and haven't been stood up by a date.

• Stay in touch with the world! Resist the temptation to turn off the ringer on your telephone and crawl into bed early.

• Try not to snap if people ask you what your plans are for Valentine's Day - they probably mean well, and don't intend to hurt your feelings.