For many, February the 14th will be a day of romance, chocolates and ridiculously mushy (and terrible) poetry. For others, it will be day to retreat from the world, bemoan your singleton status and start deciding whether or not to get a cat. I'm currently single and my normal reaction is the one previously mentioned (except the cat part, I'm allergic). But this year, the day of hearts and flowers has approached quickly and I've yet to restrain myself from ripping apart a Valentine's Day card in some vain attempt at making myself feel better.
Instead, I'm looking at the positive side. Valentine's Day is actually a pretty good time of year to be single when you think about it and here are my reasons.
1). You don't have to worry about the expense of it all. Whether in a long-term relationship or still in that honeymoon period where all you want to do is tell the world that you're in a couple, it is a day to demonstrate how much you love that person holding your hand. This will most likely come in the form of a gift. It could be ostentatious, subtle or slightly pretentious but it will cost you time and money.
2). Speaking of costing you money, if you decide to go out for a romantic candlelit dinner, chances are you'll go to a restaurant that you've both been to before and really like. Only this time, it will be a set menu and it will cost you approximately three times the price of a normal meal there. For no apparent reason other than it's Valentine's Day.
3). Then, if you're single, there's all the discounted stuff you can take advantage of and DON'T have to share! For example, today I bought a Toblerone for only £2. That's all the triangular chocolatey-goodness that is entirely for me. And don't even get me started on the ice cream offers.
4). There's no real need to make an effort. Sure if you're in a relationship that you don't feel you need to make an effort because you're so loved up it doesn't matter, that's great. But if you're single, you can spend the entire day in your pajamas, watching TV, eating the afore-mentioned discounted chocolate and not have to worry that you're about to spend a fortune on one day of the year that places emphasis on making it extra lovely for that special person in your life.
So before you tear up that one Valentine's Day card you got from your mum, or rush out to buy yourself a feline companion, just think it isn't actually that bad to be single on Valentine's Day. Yes you may have to put up with that schmooshy couple indulging in outrageous PDAs on public transport and you may want to pop every heart-shaped balloon that comes your way. But, you'll have saved a ton of money by not being in a relationship [unless you spent it all on ice cream].
That being said, I'm off out to get blind drunk with friends and forget what day it is.
