7 Ideas for Spending Valentine’s Day Solo or With Others

Valentine’s Day can be a tough day for anyone who’s single, but it can hurt a little (or a lot!) more for those who are recently divorced.

The sight of happy couple posts all over social media can be nauseating, not only for singletons.

But fear not, you can use this day to your advantage to give yourself a little extra love. Read on for some tips on how to make the most of this Valentine’s Day.

Ideas for Spending Valentine’s Day Solo or With Others

Things to do on your own

1) Manage your expectations.

Acknowledge that it may not be your happiest day, and that’s ok. There’s no need to be on-top-of-the-world happy every single day of the year. Allow yourself to feel sad, angry, remorseful, or whatever it may be and know that those feelings are temporary. If you’ve got a creative side, maybe you can channel those feelings into a painting, song, or piece of writing.  Certainly, if you get stuck on any of these emotions, consider seeing a qualified counselor or psychologist to work through them.

Above all, be kind to yourself.

2) Treat yourself!

First, make a plan to do something nice for yourself and then execute it. Whether you crave a warm, relaxing bath, a delicious meal, or a scenic walk, carve out time in the day to do something just for you.

3) Take a break from social media.

Turn off the notifications on your phone and enjoy the downtime. If you’re worried about missing out on important news, know that you can always check in another day.

4) Start planning.

You’re going through a major transition, and that’s a good time to start thinking about what you want your new life to look like. First, think about what you want to prioritize. If you want to try a new hobby or plan your next big adventure, take some time to do some research and get excited about the next chapter!

Next, decide on what you can realistically do less of. What drains your energy? Can you do less of those things, or find a different way to do them? For example, if you find you’re stuck in a cycle of never-ending housework, figure out what needs to get done, what you can delegate, and what you’re willing to forego. Finally, re-evaluate and re-commit to your priorities on a regular basis.

Things to do with others

5) Have a special date with your kid or furbaby.

If you’re spending the day with your kid, plan something fun you can do together. Or if you’ve got a pooch in your life, get outside and explore a new trail. You’ll be sure to get those endorphins flowing!

6) Galentine’s Day.

Grab your single friends and have a riot! Go dancing or keep it more low key with a girls night in. If you’re into board games, I highly recommend Telestrations After Dark, which is sure to get inappropriately hilarious fast.

7) Go on a date.

This one’s a bit risky, so proceed with caution. But if you’re in a good place emotionally, and willing to keep your expectations light and fluffy, go for it! There’s nothing wrong with going for coffee with someone looking to meet new people. If you’re expecting to find the love of your life, steer clear of this suggestion.

However, if you’re open to the idea of either a pleasant date to remind you that there are plenty of fish in the sea, or a terrible date that’ll provide plenty of fodder for an entertaining story, get out there and have some fun.

Well, there you have it! Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be doomed because you’re getting divorced. How will you be spending it this year?