The Stiletto Philosopher

If everyone around you has paired up then you know Valentine’s Day is lurking around the corner.  While you may not have a problem with love or Valentine’s Day, per se, you still might find all the loved-up couples to be depressing, if not a little sickening.  This doesn’t mean the evil green jealousy monster has taken possession of your body; it just means you’re single.

But never fear!  There are ways to get your mind off the fact you’re not currently a +1.  It all starts by understanding what you shouldn’t do if you want to make it out of Valentine’s Day unscathed.

Don’t…

• Go out to eat by yourself on Valentine’s Day.  I know, I know…you’ve got to eat, too, but trust me when I tell you all the happy couples and the inevitable marriage proposals will just make you feel more single.
• Call your ex to see what he’s doing.  They’re alone and bored as well and ready to take that ill-advised trip down memory lane…or they’ve moved on.   Either way, there’s a reason this person is your ex.  Remember that.
• Rent all your favorite romantic movies.  Are you stupid?  Do you want to start feeling more alone and go through several pints of Ben & Jerry’s? I didn’t think so.  Focusing on how happy you could be if only HE would finally walk into your life is a pointless exercise - and you know it.
• Go through your box of keepsakes.  Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.  This is the the box or drawer where you keep pictures and cards from past loves.  We’ve already talked about Valentine’s Day trips down memory lane.  Don’t go there.
• Mope around the house all day in your flannel pajama pants and your bathrobe.  You know how they say to dress for the job you want, not the one you’ve got?  The same goes for your mood.  If you don’t want to be depressed then don’t put on your depression clothes.

Do…

•  Go out with your friends.  Out of everyone you know, there’s bound to be a single friend or a married friend who doesn’t do anything special on Valentine’s Day.  Start planning now what you and your posse are going to do to pass the time.
• Ignore love.  Okay, I don’t really mean that.  Love rocks…when it doesn’t suck.  What I’m saying is that love knocks you upside the head when you aren’t out there searching for it.  Don’t go out with your peeps on Valentine’s Day and spend all your time checking out the eligible hotties.  This is about you, not that nagging voice in the back of your mind telling you you’re going to die miserable and alone.  You already know it isn’t true; you’ve got your friends.
• Rent your favorite horror flicks.  The cheesier the better.  Nothing will take your mind off your single status faster than watching some bimbo in stilettos try to outrun the guy with the chainsaw.
• Go through your closet.  Try to find at least five items of clothing you no longer wear and set them aside to be donated.  You’ll feel better about helping someone less fortunate and you’ll get a boost out ditching the items of clothing that remind you of your ex.  (You so know that sweater he gave you was the first thing you planned to get rid of.)
• Something nice for yourself.  Get a manicure, get your hair done, take a hot bubble bath or get a makeover - even if it’s just a freebie at the department store make-up counter.  It’s a fact: when we look better, we feel better.  That’s why the cosmetics industry is still making sales despite the recession.  Be good to you.  You deserve it!

No matter how you end up spending your Valentine’s Day this year, make sure to keep in mind that your social status doesn’t define your worth as a person.  You do.

Jen

“The difference?  I make sarcasm look good.”

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