Valentine’s Day: a survival guide for singles Posted on 31 January 2011 Ah! Valentine’s Day! The one day of the year that strikes feelings of unworthiness in the hearts of many singletons. Either that or they run around telling everyone that Valentine’s Day is just ‘commercial nonsense anyway’, whilst secretly wishing someone would buy them a bunch of flowers or a chocolate heart. Now, as a singleton myself I certainly know that being single ain’t for sissies, but that ain’t no reason to be sitting around and moping. Here are some tips on how to have loads of fun on this annual celebration of the fabulousness of love. Intrigue in the workplace Valentine’s Day this year is a work day (Monday) which gives you a great opportunity for a bit of mischief and mayhem – two of my favourite things. Send anonymous love-notes to all the singletons in the office. Get the office messenger to deliver them if possible. After all, Valentine’s day should be about letting someone know that they have a secret admirer (not expensive dinners and fluffy teddies). Create a stir and who knows, you just may make someone’s day! Pamper yourself It’s often said that if you don’t love yourself, then no-one else will. Treat yourself to a bunch of flowers, buy a CD of your favourite music or have a spa treatment. Dance naked in the lounge to your favourite tunes whilst drinking champagne. Relax amongst rose petals in a candlelit bath (champagne also good here). Take a walk on the beach and relish the saltiness on your skin. Go for a drive and celebrate the power of freedom. As a singleton you don’t have to answer to anyone and the most important person is yourself. So celebrate being yourself and do whatever it is that makes you feel fantastic. Sexy sells My favourite motto is ‘be sexy at all times’. You don’t have to be in a relationship to feel sexy. OK, you might not be spending the night between the sheets getting hot and sweaty, but there’s nothing stopping you from a little action. Why not take up dance classes (salsa is a good option) or learn how to work the pole (it’s a good workout too). Not only will you feel more sexy with your newly acquired skills, you will probably meet new people too. They could be your next Valentine, or introduce you to someone who could be. Throw a Valentine’s Day party for singles Invite all your single friends to a party and tell them to bring any of their single friends along. Spending time with your friends is guaranteed to be a good time and who knows who someone may meet. For a bit of added fun ask everyone to bring a small Valentine’s Day gift and play Secret Santa (er, Cupid). Sign up for speed dating or online dating I have to admit I have never been a fan of the above, but these days our busy lifestyles seldom lend us the opportunity to meet people. Things have changed and I have been assured that online dating or speed dating is no longer reserved for axe-murderers or the desperate. So why not give it a go – you may not be single next Valentine’s Day. And if you don’t meet the person of your dreams you will probably meet loads of interesting people and have a social life that many settled-down couples only dream of. Remember to take care though. Don’t go meeting someone at their home (or at yours) and always have a friend call to check up on you. Also useful if your date turns out to be a complete nightmare – you can pretend there’s an emergency at home and leave with grace. Toast to the has-beens To the prat who drank too much and farted under the covers. To the hussy who spent all your money and ran off with your best friend. Nearly everyone has had someone who wasn’t worth the trouble they caused. Congratulate yourself on having gotten rid of them and for getting on with your life. Crack open the bubbly and toast to the wellbeing of the people who are saddled with them now. Nod smugly, knowing that you are the smart one who won’t be repeating those mistakes again. Spread the love Just because you don’t have a significant other, doesn’t stop you from expressing love and affection for people in your life. I always say I would be nothing without my friends and family. So use this opportunity to get a bit soppy and tell everyone how much you love them and value having them in your life. You could also visit an orphanage, hospital or old age home and spend time with people who could always do with a bit of love and affection. Celebrate ‘no pressure’ singledom Valentine’s Day causes a lot of stress for some couples. What to get? What to do? Oh darn the restaurants are all booked! What should I wear? As a singleton you can do as you please, much to the unspoken envy of many of your partnered friends. No last minute rush to buy heart-shaped chocolates that melt in the car and are no longer heart-shaped. No fighting with flower vendors who have upped their prices and no frantic phone calls to restaurants who have been booked up since January. You are off the hook! Enjoy it! You may not be off the hook next year”¦ There you go. Lots of stuff for you to be doing on 14th February. No moping about, go out and enjoy! And remember, the knight or princess usually comes along when you least expect it. What will this singleton be doing this Valentine’s Day? I may be giving speed dating a go or I could simply dance in the lounge with champagne making toasts to all the people I love in my life. Cheers to that! Related Posts #SaveOurBeachHuts with a Steenberg Hotel picnic and Craig Hinds 4 November 2022 Steenberg Hotel and Craig Hinds are teaming up to bring you a picnic and a... read more SANParks to host Women’s Day event at Rietvlei Nature Reserve 20 July 2022 The SANParks Honorary Rangers will host a morning of fun at Pretoria's Rietvlei Nature Reserve... read more 10 things to do this Halloween in Joburg and Cape Town 24 October 2017 South Africans have embraced this creepy holiday, here are 10 ways to get spooky in... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
#SaveOurBeachHuts with a Steenberg Hotel picnic and Craig Hinds 4 November 2022 Steenberg Hotel and Craig Hinds are teaming up to bring you a picnic and a... read more
SANParks to host Women’s Day event at Rietvlei Nature Reserve 20 July 2022 The SANParks Honorary Rangers will host a morning of fun at Pretoria's Rietvlei Nature Reserve... read more
10 things to do this Halloween in Joburg and Cape Town 24 October 2017 South Africans have embraced this creepy holiday, here are 10 ways to get spooky in... read more