Brief Survival Tips for Valentine's Day

Are you sad because the person you like is in a relationship with someone else or doesn't even know of your 'undying devotion' to their well-being? Do you find yourself, unconsciously, doodling hearts of various sizes on notepads? Is there a familiar tingle that has become an ache for what is not? Has desperation captured your heart, chewed it up, and spit it out, only to trample on it? Do you go year after year in the same melancholy mood, seeking the light at the end of the tunnel? Has dread and stress tightened their hold on you and is slowly choking the life out of you as the day draws near?

Well, toss those thoughts and worries aside and put away that ice cream bucket, it's time to make a Valentine's Day memory you will never forget. Be a new person this year! Become someone you wish you were like, filled with confidence, power, and happiness. Kick impossible perfections off the pedestal and step up to replace them!

How, you ask? Well, for starters, try my easy tips on getting through Valentine's Day for years to come. Feel free to try one or all ten, just don't tire yourself out too much! Give yourself the best Valentine's Day ever!!

Valentine's Day Survival Tips for Singles:

10 - Gather with a group of other singles and see if you can find someone. This was recommended to me. Though I've never had the time to go, many of my friends have had success stories. So, I guess, this works too.

09 - Baby-sit for a couple with younger kids. By offering your services to another, the couple with young kids is happy. Also, this will test you to see if you're ready for what's at the end of the dating life. Often times, this act of selflessness will press the snooze button on whatever familial alarm your may feel in your biological clock.

08 - Watch action movies! This is, by far, my favorite of them all! Not only do I lose myself in another world before my eyes, but I am given a lot to think about. Trilogies and longer series come in handy for this suggestion. Make a marathon of it! Don't torture your soul and watch chick-flicks or romantic comedies that leaves you longing for the unreal. Watch empowering movies; epics, dramas, and more. It's like chicken soup for the soul; just right.

07 - Gather with some friends and cook a meal together. Why spend time alone when you can spend time with others? Make some calls, write some emails, send some texts, and make a date! Pick up a cookbook or watch the Food Network, invite all your gal-pals or home-boys over, and get some heat in the kitchen! If being alone is too lonely for you, then don't be alone.

06 - Take a walk around where you live or work. Many singles shun the outside world on Valentine's Day because they don't want to be reminded of their missing counter part. The simplest way to release the gloom and doom attitude is to casually take a stroll about. The fresh air and exercise will clean out your dreary thoughts and give singles time to yourself. Carpe dium, brave soul! Celebrate yourself because you deserve it!

05 - Visit spiritually and mentally satisfying websites. At times when one is at a loss for guidance, they find religion and purpose. At websites, such as iHop, there are free webstreams of messages and teachings from different perspectives. This works for those seeking to broaden their horizons or for something to hold on to. Any website of religious preference have less content that would stir up inner longings. Try it. Or get political and dive into the cunning world of politics. Either way, it'll take your mind off of Valentine's Day for sure! Though, I'm not sure how much happiness it will bring you in the end.

04 - Love yourself good. Sometimes, it's good just to spoil yourself. As for me, I do what I think shows my body that I love it the most. If I don't have work, I'll likely sleep in, slowly rising from my bed to take a long hot shower to relax and awaken my muscles. When dressed, I would treat myself to a steamy or chilly cup of goodness from my favorite café or coffee shop. After that, the day is free for me to do what I want to do. Whether it be a massage, movie, hospital visitation, or visiting a retirement home to watch the senior citizens hold hands; the day is mine. It is for me.

03 - If you have a single parent, or know one, spend some time with them on the day that may hurt them more than you think. Not only is love shared between lovers, but friends as well. In fact, some of the strongest relationships are friendships. Do something nice for someone who is struggling to make ends meet. This takes your focus off yourself, lowers your sense of self-pity, and impacts someone else in a positive way. For example, when my father travels, he sometimes is unable to make it home for these American special days. Thus, my sisters and I would send flowers to my mother while she is at work and prepare a special dinner for her at home. You can be any age to do this.

02 - DO SOMETHING!!! Get off your butt and get moving! Whether it be ludicrous ideas or frantic activities, keep yourself busy, and the day will pass just like any other. Go to the beach and build sand castles, attempt to create an ice sculpture in your backyard, gather what catches your eye and create something like Watt's Towers, or go beyond all that and clean like crazy! Learn a new trick, take up knitting, learn how to surf, make a scrap book with extra pictures, design your own clothing line, go whale watching, visit an aquarium or watch Planet Earth. Whatever floats your boat, just do it! Put your mind to something that matters more than nothing.

01 - READ THE STORY OF ST. VALENTINE! Then, and only then, should you decide how you feel about this day named after St. Valentine. Here's a good source. Most of the time, I forget about Valentine's Day and only remember when buying great deals on chocolate after the special date. Yum! I've figured, "Hey, I'll worry about it when it gets here."

Truth is, no one can love you the way you can love yourself. If you don't love yourself, it's difficult for anyone to love you, much less for you to believe that they do. Our most severe critic will always be our biggest fan. And, most of the time, it's ourselves.