How to Celebrate Valentine's Day When Separated

There's nothing harder than a holiday about romance and relationships when you've just ended a relationship. However, if Valentine's Day is a favorite holiday of yours, you can still celebrate it even when separated.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Enjoy the holiday with friends. Make the holiday all about your friends by sending them silly cards or gifts that'll make them laugh. Let your friends know how much you appreciate them being with you through good times and bad. Make reservations at a restaurant or a spa for a large group of you so you can enjoy each other's company. Host a wine tasting, chocolate, cheese or karaoke party in your house. Let people know you're not celebrating Valentine's Day—the party just happens to fall on Valentine's Day.
2. Get out of town. If you're truly struggling and everything reminds you of your ex, take a mini vacation. Go somewhere you've always wanted to go.
3. Spend your time with other people who are lonely. Get together with other single friends for a small anti-romance party or with relatives or friends who have lost a loved one. You can also volunteer at a senior center during Valentine's Day—Valentine's Day may be very difficult for some of the widows and widowers there.
4. Celebrate being alone. Rather than thinking about how much you'd enjoy being out with a significant other, find a way to enjoy your own company. Schedule an appointment at a spa, or in the evening, put in your favorite movie, eat your favorite food, and enjoy not having to share your time with anyone.
5. Make it a special day to spend with your kids. If you have kids, plan a special outing or activity on Valentine's Day to let them know how much you care about them.
6. Practice random acts of kindness. While you should do this all year, Valentine's Day is a good day to find ways to cheer up those around you, such as putting change in vending machines, paying expired parking meters, smiling at a child or anything else you can think of.