Valentines Day Blues

For many singles, the lead up to Valentine's day can feel a lot like dread as others gear up to celebrate what you feel you lack. And the days after can feel just as empty, like restarting a race hoping for a different finish line.

The post-valentines slump can serve up unavoidable FOMO for those who can’t help but feel the sting for not receiving an invitation to the commercialised celebration. So we make up by lying parallel to the traditions - except on the sofa, scoffing chocolate, and watching rom-coms from a list of ‘must watch valentines day movies’, as a pathetic attempt at joining in.

Wallowing on the day of love is a gateway to feeling lonely, so instead of finding ways to squeeze yourself within the day of duos, here's what us singles should do to stop feeling sorry for ourselves when we need a little loving:

First, stop feeling inferior. When every Instagram story is flooded with couples, it’s natural to feel left out or unwanted. Instead, switch the perspective. When witnessing the grand gestures friends have received, see them as a promise for the future. A glimmer of hope.

Something to look forward to. Love is alive and that's beautiful, but that doesn’t mean you have none. Create your own from the simplest of things because why wait to be given love?

Waking up alone? Cue the coffee, window sill and journal combo you don’t have to explain to anyone. When picking out an outfit, don’t choose one to attract, but to feel comfortable in. Be spontaneous. Don a jacket, those earrings you thought were too much and march through the city to your own soundtrack like it's the beginning of a self-discovery movie.

Live vicariously through the pages of a cheesy romance book - it’s really all you need. When your housemates are out on their dates, pour a glass of wine and make your pasta singing out loud. Remember you deserve some fun too.

Valentines day shouldn’t be spent merging a more relatable word with 'entines’ so the day seems bearable. For this period of your life, you’re not obliged to conform to society. You're not forced to spend money, make reservations or show it all off on social media. It’s freeing to not live this day with any expectations. Isn’t that lush!? So why not embrace it?

Edited by Sasha Spencer