10 Ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day if you’re single

Whether it’s teddy bears and heart-shaped chocolates in the shops, romantic films on TV or being bombarded by Valentine’s related adverts and posts on social media, being single on Valentine's Day can leave you feeling left out.    

Sian Walker from Bristol says, “As both my parents died a few years ago, for me, just as with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day is just another day that doesn’t involve me. I make sure to avoid all the gushy and sloppy hype!”

Even though you know that being on your own on Valentine’s Day isn't the end of the world, you may still feel a hint of sadness and longing. 

“Being single only brings the odd pang of resentment, which is soon solved by a large gin and an episode of First Dates,” says Tracey Newman from Brighton. 

However, in my early post-divorce days I had a hankering for romance. One Valentine’s Day I was just about to leave for work when a delivery man appeared at the door with a huge bunch of red roses. He handed them to me with a small envelope bearing my address. 

Why not buy yourself some nice flowers?

Blushing, my heart racing, I placed the flowers in water and ripped open the card, which read: 

My darling, I am so proud of you. All my love… 

It was signed but, unfortunately, the signature was indecipherable—I could neither read nor understand it. 

I daydreamed through work, wondering who it could possibly be. I was hoping it was Derek in finance. Back home that evening, as I was pondering over the message, Francine (my French student lodger) walked in the room. I showed her the card and asked if she could make out the name. 

“Oh yes! That’s my boyfriend’s name, Thomas!” Crushed, I handed over the bouquet.  

These days I buy my own roses! 

If you are on your own this Valentine’s Day, then like Tracey, why not treat yourself? You could buy yourself a beautiful arrangement of flowers or just one single perfect bloom. Wear an outfit that always makes you feel good. Just do the nice thing for yourself, whatever that looks like to you, it doesn’t need to be expensive. 

Here’s ten more ideas and suggestions: 

If you've had your eye on a special something, make Valentine’s Day the day you buy it for yourself. Perhaps there’s something you’d like to do or go to in the next few weeks or months—a show or a holiday? Book it today! 

There's nothing takeaway and a good film can't fix!

It’s simple but ordering a take-out from your favourite takeaway or restaurant and watching a favourite film always makes a day better. 

What’s abundance consciousness? It’s reminding yourself of what you have—what you’ve achieved, what you own, what you’ve experienced and all the ways in which life is good you. 

Set a timer for five minutes. Now write down everything that you’ve achieved or enjoyed doing in the last five or ten years. It can be anything related to your work or home, career, family and friends, health, sport, travel and holidays. After two or three minutes you may start to run out of things you’ve achieved. Don’t stop though.  

Keep going and look for smaller achievements; things like decorating a room, decluttering your wardrobe or mending or fixing something. Spend all five minutes writing down everything you can think of. Then sit back and revel in how marvellous you are! 

Whether it’s a family member, friend, or your pet, let those you care about know how much they matter and that they are loved. Send them a card, message or phone them. Send a small gift or invite them over for dinner.  

That person might be a family member or a friend. Write them a letter, a card, an email or message. Better still, give them a call just to let them know you were thinking about them. They may welcome the chance to connect and catch up. 

Cook or shop for someone who finds it difficult to get out. At work, make the coffee or bring in some delicious treats. Give a couple close to you the chance to have some time together without the kids—offer to look after the kids for the evening. 

Have your friends round for a dinner party

Or order a takeaway or buy enough Marks and Spencer “Dine in for two” three-course meals for you all. Do the whole gifts and flowers thing, too. 

The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments. Go to www.blood.co.uk to find out more about donating blood and for information about your nearest blood donation centre 

Spend some time in the evening baking some cakes. Then give them away the next day. 

Of course, you don’t have to acknowledge or do anything different on Valentine's Day. February 14 is just one day of the year. Just go about the day like it was any other. 

Looking for love or companionship?  Try Reader's Digest Dating

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