7 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day When You're Single

One is only the loneliest number if you let it be.

One is also the number of people who get to decide to eat whatever they want, watch whatever they want, wear whatever they want, go wherever they want.

If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, embrace your oneness and live your best life with these handy tips.

Go out with your friends

Know other singles? Call ‘em up and hit the least romantic bar you can think of, go to the least Valentine’s Day appropriate movie, or go get very unsexy by sweating it up playing your favorite sport. There’s strength in numbers.

Cook yourself something nice

Don’t bother going out to a restaurant on Friday evening. Every place will be chock full of cooing couples exchanging breathy nothings well above a whisper. Don’t be the weird loner in that scene. Instead, hit the grocery store, pick up some nice wine from the shop, and treat yourself to a romantic dinner for one. A nice steak, maybe, or a hearty bowl of carbonara would fit the bill, but so would something a little healthier if that’s your definition of a treat.

Cut out of work early

Avoid the temptation to stay late at work just to avoid the evening. You’ll end up alone in the office with your feelings, and work is the last place you want to have an unromantic breakdown. Instead, leave a little early if you can, beat the rush hour traffic, and indulge in “you time.”

Pamper yourself

A long hot bath sounds nice on any evening, but especially when you can fully enjoy your solitude. Ditto for a nice haircut or a fancy massage (just avoid romantic spas that offer couples packages).

Take a trip

There’s nothing like the open road and the wind on your back. If you’re worried about feeling trapped in your single life, escape it physically by taking a weekend trip out of town. You’ll hardly have time to think about your relationship status while checking out a new town, exploring the great outdoors, or meeting new people.

Spend time with family

If you have family members close by (who won’t ask you invasive questions about your single lifestyle), spend some quality time together. Familial love can fill the void left by romantic love, and you can spend your time together trash talking the commercial holiday.

Buy yourself a gift

Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you don’t deserve shiny things. Treat yourself to a new piece of jewelry or a chic new outfit. Or buy yourself that new piece of tech you’ve been yearning for. You can be your own not-so-secret admirer.