It’s that time of the year again. The pink and red decor is out, the shelves are stocked with chocolate and candy, and your friends have been posting subliminal messages on their social media all week.

Valentine’s Day can be wonderful if you’re in a relationship, yet lonely if you’re single.

But guess what? Valentine’s Day does not have to be just for those who are in relationships! It can be a day to celebrate yourself, your body and your choice to be single. It’s okay to spend the day alone because you are sufficient.

Treat yourself

Valentine’s Day is the day of love, and this includes self-love! You can, and should, treat yourself. Buy yourself a cute gift, order your go-to comfort meal, or watch your favourite cheesy rom-com. Take the day to appreciate yourself and show gratitude.

Have a regular day

You do not have to do anything special on Valentine’s Day. Treat it like any regular day of the week. Wake up, get ready, eat breakfast and go about your day as you normally would. Before you know it, it'll be February 15.

Take the day off social media

FOMO is tough. It’s okay to admit that seeing how everyone else is spending their day might make you sad. If you know that you might get triggered by posts on social media, take the day off. Try doing something else like reading a book or going for a walk.

Brighten someone else’s day

If you’re spending the day alone, it is likely that others are too. Handing out small gifts such as candy, flowers or a thoughtful card can mean a lot to someone and also make you feel good.

Valentine’s Day is just 1 day out of 365. It’s perfectly fine to spend the day alone.