Single This Valentine’s Day? Here Are 6 Ways To Feel Less Lonely

It can sometimes be easy to forget that Valentine's Day is just another day, especially when you're deep in the trenches of single life. The flowers, the chocolates, the candlelit dinners... It can be tough feeling like you can’t partake in those romantic moments. But really, Valentine’s Day is only as important as you make it (despite what the world and the greeting card industrial complex might have you believe). Still, if you're alone on Valentine's Day, I know that it can sometimes be tough to avoid loneliness. The good news? You actually aren’t alone. There are plenty of people feeling the same way.

"Being [lonely] on Valentine's Day's a very normal feeling. Even if you don't like to be influenced by what seems like such a commercially motivated holiday, it's still difficult to escape its impact on you if you don't have an intimate partner — or a loving relationship," Dr. LeslieBeth Wish, licensed clinical psychotherapist, relationship expert, and author of Training Your Love Intuition, tells Elite Daily.

A lot of those emotions come from the outside pressures of what you "should" be doing on Valentine's Day, Dr. Gary Brown, a prominent couples' therapist in Los Angeles, tells Elite Daily. "Much of the pain you can feel about this is related to the societal pressure to be with someone," Dr. Brown says. "We see the emphasis on coupling almost everywhere we turn: in the movies, social media, literature, cable and the internet, and commercials — so much of which involves being in a couple. It's no wonder that singles feel both internal and external pressure around this holiday."

There are ways to shift your mindset by tuning your attention to other things and people. Here's how the experts suggest ringing in this Valentine's Day if you're single and feeling the blues.

Create A Gratitude Journal

When you're upset, it can be hard to focus on anything else. But by making a conscious effort to reflect on all of the wonderful things in your life, you can begin to reframe your thoughts, which ultimately helps lift your mood. Dr. Brown suggests taking this holiday as an opportunity to begin incorporating gratitude into your daily routine.

“One of the things you can do to help lift your spirits is to create a gratitude journal. At my lowest points, I've found that the quickest way to feel better is to focus more on what I do have in life, rather than what I don't have,” he explains. In other words, just because you aren’t in the relationship you want this February, doesn’t mean you aren’t happily fulfilled in other areas of life. “Live in gratitude and your spirits may be lifted,” Dr. Brown adds.

Celebrate With Friends

So you don't have a steady romantic relationship in your life right now. Why not celebrate the other loving connections you do have, aka your friendships? Make plans to do something special with your besties, suggests Dr. Wish. “Arrange ahead of time to watch a movie virtually with your friends or family members,” she says. “Stay connected as you watch and comment together.”

You can also embrace the tradition of Galentine’s Day, as Cherlyn Chong, dating and breakup coach and host of the Why Women Love Toxic Men Workshop, tells Elite Daily. “Galentine's Day falls on the 13th, the day before V-Day, but no one says you can't also celebrate it on V-day. Get back out there, flirt, have a great dinner with the gals, and you'll forget about not having anyone,” she suggests.

Be Your Own Valentine

Who says your special Valentine has to be someone else? No one. You can (and should) totally choose to celebrate yourself this year. After all, the one person you'll have a relationship with for your whole life is you, so why not show yourself some self-love? “Ask yourself: What can I do that's also special and meaningful for me? Think big or small. Make a real list of what you'd like to do on ‘your day,’" suggests Dr. Wish. Whether that celebration means relaxing with your favorite book or treating yourself to a pedicure, treat yourself your way!

Chong agrees that Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to have a “me day.” It's all about finding ways to treat and pamper yourself, she explains. “Dress yourself in comfortable clothes, run a bubble bath with a bath bomb, get a bunch of roses for yourself and get great take-out," Chong recommends. (BRB, adding these all to my to-do list.)

Get Away From It All

There’s nothing wrong with a little escapism — especially if it will brighten your mood on a typically stressful day. Sometimes, the best way to reset your mood is to get a change of scenery, explains Chong.

“Go on a nature walk or hike somewhere off the beaten track. You're less likely to run into couples there... and you'll be surrounded by wild landscapes,” she says. Getting in tune with nature and away from it all can help put Valentine's Day and all its myriad pressures completely out of your mind.

Do A Little Early Spring Cleaning

If you don't have any set plans on Valentine’s Day, it just means your schedule is open for doing something meaningful with your time. Dr. Wish suggests taking the day to do a little spring cleaning with the bonus of giving back. “Go through your closets or pantry and select things to give to charities. This activity makes you feel more in charge of you, and it also helps others,” she says.

Find Other People Who Can Relate

It can be easy to feel like everyone you know is in a relationship, especially if most of your friends are coupled up. Seeing them celebrate on social media can be tough, but comparison doesn’t always have to be a negative experience. Instead, seek out other people (influencers, podcasters, TikTokers, etc.) who are in the same boat as you.

Need somewhere to get started? Girls Gotta Eat podcast recently released an episode titled, “How to Be Alone (and Even Enjoy It).” Check the Valentine’s Day hashtag on TikTok or Twitter for more comedic relief. I promise you are not the only one feeling a little down amid all the heart-shaped cards and candies, and a little bit of scrolling might be just the reminder you need.

Feeling good about being alone on Valentine’s Day ultimately comes down to celebrating the connections you have in your life and being gentle with yourself if you do experience some sadness. “We're social beings. Instead of getting angry, depressed, or resentful on Valentine's Day, keep in mind that our brains are wired to function best when we're connected to others in meaningful ways,” explains Dr. Wish. “We're also beings who function best when we like ourselves. So, do something that's important to you that makes you feel good about you.”

Experts cited:

Dr. Gary Brown, a prominent couples therapist in Los Angeles

Cherlyn Chong, dating and breakup coach and host of the Why Women Love Toxic Men Workshop

Dr. LeslieBeth Wish, licensed clinical psychotherapist, relationship expert, and author of Training Your Love Intuition