1. Get a Valentine's Day reality check

1. Get a Valentine's Day reality check
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Whether you’re married or single, nothing is harder than being in a bad relationship. Sure, all love connections hit rough patches, but many cross the line, becoming detrimental to love of self, and causing long-term damage and unhappiness. Of course, love relationships often work out, and Cupid’s arrow can hit even those who have been hurt before.

“Whether you’re waiting for your next chance at love, or are content to remain solo, the key to being happily single on Valentine’s Day is to realize that marriage is not the key to happiness,” says Rich Gosse, Chairman of The Society of Single Professionals and author of eight books on the single lifestyle.

“Most unhappy singles simply don’t get this obvious truth. Close to half of all marriages end in divorce, so they are obviously not happy. And millions of married couples stay together, not because they are happy, but for religious or financial reasons, or ‘for the kids’.

“Once singles understand these facts, it’s much easier to be happy alone on V-Day.”

Check out more advice on learning to love living alone.

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2. Take off the trackie daks and dress up

2. Take off the trackie daks and dress up
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“Life should be enjoyed and embraced, not spent sitting at home feeling alone,” says US-based life coach Dallisa Hocking, founder of Love FrogKisser. “So, I advise singles to make Valentine’s Day a celebration by turning it into an ‘I Love My Life’ Day.”

One way to do this is by getting dressed up, donning something that makes you feel special and confident. If you find it harder to hang out at home when you’re all gussied up, that’s basically the idea, but no worries. There’s plenty to do on V-Day for the I’m-single-and-loving-it set.

Check out these 35 highs and lows of living alone.

3. Get amongst it

3. Get amongst it
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Even the happily single can’t help but notice that the world is full of couples, but so what? On Valentine’s Day and every day, get out there like you own the world, and experience everything it has to offer.

Love the opera? Get a membership and go solo.

Into painting? There are tons of paint and sip workshops around, where you can happily join a crowd of wanna-be Picassos while enjoying a velvety glass of Merlot.

Explore your interests, and let them take you out into the world.

Anywhere you go, there are bound to be lots of other people worth meeting and getting to know.

If you feel like flirting, fine. If you feel like making a new friend, that’s fine, too.

We asked our readers what friendship meant to them – here are some of our favourite responses.

4. Go play with friends

4. Go play with friends
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Cool things to do on Valentine’s Day with friends are easy to find.

The only movies that will have long lines are the sappy ones, so you can treat yourselves to the latest action flick or thriller.

You can also go dancing, hang out at the coolest bar on the block, or get outdoorsy and enjoy winter sports, like ice skating or skiing.

There’s also a lot to be said for hanging indoors and enjoying a sumptuous meal or Netflix binge with the rest of your single-and-loving-it friends.

The only good time for love to hurt is when it’s funny enough to split your sides. Take a look at these 11 hilarious Valentine’s Day stories you won’t believe are true.

5. Got kids on Valentine's Day? Perfect

5. Got kids on Valentine's Day? Perfect
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Being a single parent doesn’t mean you have to (or should) ignore Valentine’s Day. Scout out the other single mums and dads in your child’s school or in the park (there will be tonnes), and turn V-Day into a singles’ family night.

Invite everyone over to your place for a pot luck dinner and board games marathon that your kids’ friends and their single parents can enjoy.

You can also organise a museum or theme park outing for the group. Or even gather ’round the tele and play some computer games.

6. Go spa or go home

6. Go spa or go home
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Being single on Valentine’s Day leaves you open to do whatever you want to do without having to check in with another person.

This holiday from having to compromise without worrying about someone else’s wants or needs presents a delicious opportunity to focus on yourself.

“Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful day of loving and celebrating yourself,” says US psychologist, Yvonne Thomas, PhD.

Thomas suggests treating yourself to loving, self-care gifts, such as a massage, mani-pedi, facial, complimentary makeover or scented bubble bath.

No matter what you do remember to take care of yourself and don’t feel guilty about it – it’s normal behaviour. These behaviours, according to experts, may seem odd but they are surprisingly common.

Get under the covers and turn off your phone

Get under the covers and turn off your phone
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This isn’t hiding, it’s nesting. What could be better than unwinding with a great book? Curl up with your dog, make a cozy dinner for one, and lose yourself in your favourite at-home activity, even if it’s binge-watching Game of Thrones.

One of the most important keys to relishing the single life is to enjoy your own company.

Break a sweat

Break a sweat
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Gyms, running trails and yoga studios are traditionally packed on Valentine’s Day, and for good reason. The heart is more than just a Valentine’s Day symbol. Keeping heart-healthy is an important aspect of self-love and care.

V-Day is a great time to check out the new Pilates studio around the corner or try a Zumba class for the first time.

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