It’s that time of year yet again. It seems like every person you know is suddenly in a relationship and posting ooey gooey cutesy little Instagram posts professing their love for their partner. There’s an influx of “wait they’re still together?” and a whole shit ton of “when the fuck did she get a boyfriend?!” And my favorite game, which boyfriends will be in trouble on the 15^th for not posting their social image obsessed GF. Personally, I love Valentine’s Day. But 99% of that is because I’m a slut for anything pink or heart shaped, and an absolute whore for all things romantic. Even when I’m not on the receiving end of said romance.

Valentine’s Day, much like most things in life is all about perspective. We can choose to be sad and lonely, or we can lean into the joys of being single and have ourselves a time, or, if it pleases you, we can ignore the day all together and have a normal Tuesday in February. As a perpetually single girl – 26 years and counting – I know a thing or 2 million about having a successful single girl’s Vday, and you lucky little ducklings get to hear my absolutely incredible and top tier advice. My only credentials being that I’ve quite literally never had a significant other on Valentine’s Day so I’ve had 25 February 14ths to perfect my routine.

Wear a Cute Outfit

First things first: Gotta dress cute to feel cute! You don’t need to take it too seriously, it can be a cute athleisure matching set, or your most obnoxiously pink work outfit, either way, but CUTE. Wear something that makes you feel good and beautiful. I’d say makes you feel hot, but some of us have to go into the office on Valentine’s day and what makes me feel hot isn’t exactly Valentine’s Day appropriate. Regardless, you get my point.

Do Something You Love

This is genuinely my biggest piece of advice. On a day about love, you MUST do something you love. Make it as big or small as you want. I’ll be at a 3 hour long dance rehearsal with my students, which sounds exhausting to most people, but my kids bring me so much joy, and teaching dance makes me happier than I can even explain. If what you love is vegging out on the couch with snacks and takeout, do that. If it’s taking a workout class, or seeing your friends, do THAT. As long as you do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, to make yourself happy, you’re on the right track.

Treat Yourself

Coffee in the morning, buy a new cute little outfit, a spa day. Treat. Your. Self. Boom. Bang. Done. NEXT.

Stay off Insta

Its easier said than done, but if you’re like me and can easily get yourself into a rabbit whole of loneliness when you see other couples, just stay off Insta. Don’t scroll. It’s the most likely place you’ll be seeing these couples. Or, if you’re also like me and simply cannot give up Instagram, just watch stories, and be selective of who’s stories you watch. Leave out that one girl from high school who married her 7^th grade boyfriend and posts him 24 times a day. Skip over the adorable couple that has (what appears to be) the healthiest relationship that you’re painfully jealous of. Just skip them! You’re allowed to do that. You don’t have to just aimlessly watch stories you know! There’s no rule – except when you’re pooping. That is exclusively for aimlessly watching Instagram stories. Just not on Valentine’s Day.  

No Label, No Pressure

*Air horn noises* In the wise words of Miss Eli Rallo – NO LABEL NO GIFTS!! In the same vein, no label means no pressure. If they’re not 100% yours take the pressure off. You don’t owe each other anything. Even if you want to hang out, keep it normal. Don’t try to make it a Valentine’s Day Thing, just have a thing on Valentine’s Day. You feel me? Modern dating is confusing enough, don’t make yourself crazy trying to be romantic when you’re not actually a couple.

Galentine’s Day is Priority Number One

Whether you’re single or in a relationship, Galentine’s Day is a MUST. Per Parks and Rec it’s to take place February 13^th every year. Per me and my friends, it’s to take place the weekend AFTER Valentine’s Day. This lets all the couples get their date nights in, and we can buy half off candy and decorations for ourselves. We do a brunch, but do whatever makes you and your friends happiest. It’s simply a time to get all the gals together and leave the significant others at home. I don’t care how much your friends like your partner – they’re not allowed at Galentine’s Day, it’s the first cardinal sin of the holiday to bring them. You’re only allowed to bring the follow things:

• The juiciest piece of gossip, what’s a hangout sesh without some juicy gossip
• A sex life update, last year at Galentine’s Day brunch I announced I had lost my virginity the night before, so think big
• Booze, bonus points for themed cocktails
• Your best snack, again, bonus points for themed items

Watch Your Favorite Rom Com

Is anyone shocked by this advice? It’s a day about romance, you’ve GOT to pop in a rom com. I have nothing else to say on the matter honestly, just pick a good one. The best ones have some sort of musical number and I will die on this hill – but more on that later.

Celebrate Love !!!!!!!

Last but not least, the most important aspect of the day – celebrate love. Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be about couples, it’s just about LOVE. Love yourself, love your friends, love your family. Romantic love is just one small aspect of being loved. We are not without it just because we don’t have a partner. You are so deserving of all aspects of love, and the only one I can absolutely guarantee for you is your love for yourself. It’s hard, I know, I know it better than anyone honestly, but it’s important and it’s doable. You don’t need to love yourself all day every day, but today, find something you love about yourself. Just one thing.

I hope you all have an absolutely wonderful Tuesday February 14^th this year.

xoxo Sarah