Single this February 14th? NO BIG DEAL. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start living it up.

A few years ago, on Valentine’s Day, a couple of single friends and I decided that we were going to have an anti-Valentine’s Day and picked the most ridiculous comedy at the theatre and made a night of it.

It turns out there really is such a holiday. According to singlesawareness.com, it’s called Singles Awareness Day (or S.A.D.) and it takes place on February 15th. Obviously enough, the day was created by single people who were tired of feeling neglected and left out of Valentine’s Day. The goal is for singles to get off their sad lazy butts and celebrate with friends. According to the site, “Suggested activities for this day are sending yourself flowers, planning parties for other singles to mix and meet and to participate in some sort of single’s event. This is especially recommended if you don’t WANT to be single. Of course, for those who kind of like being single it’s a blessing and a reason to have some fun.”

What do You do With Your S.A.D.?

Alright people, here’s what you do. Grab a bunch of single friends. If you want, you can do all guys, all girls or mix em’ up. No, there’s not going to be spin the bottle and other lovey-dovey crap. If you want to do that then you aren’t celebrating the right holiday.

Grab your favourite snacks and head to your local film renting facility for a bunch of classic movies like “Ferris Buller’s Day Off,” “Top Gun,” and “Ghostbusters.” You don’t like 80’s movies? Well grab a bunch of movies you like instead, whether it’s blood and gore, or laugh your tushy off, or both.

If you don’t feel like sitting at home, then don’t. No one is forcing you to stay home and listen to how long your parents have been in wedded bliss for. Instead, make t-shirts with “Singles’ Awareness Day” on them and head to the bowling alley for some pin-crunching fun.

If bowling isn’t your style, pick a movie in the theatre where there won’t be many couples and enjoy. If there are couples, throw popcorn.

There’s lots to do in town too, like the art galleries downtown and on VIU campus. You might find some really good anti-love pieces you’ll “fall in love with.” How about the museum? At least you know you won’t be entering the “tunnel of love” when you walk through the coal mine exhibit. If you don’t mind a bit of an atomic wedgie, rock climbing at the Romper Room could really be fun, especially if you’re belaying for your best friend who is slightly afraid of heights. If you don’t mind some bumps and bruises and being careful of your tender tailbone, ice skating at Beban Park or the Nanaimo Ice Centre might be for you. What about taking a ferry over to Vancouver? You never know if your favourite band has a show. There is so much out there it would take a novel to describe it all. Check out the events calendar for some more ideas.

Don’t end up with a few friends? It’s not like you aren’t capable of doing things by yourself. You may even end up making new friends along the way.

Five Things to Avoid

Mix Tapes. You don’t need to be listening to any music that will cause emotional strain, especially if it’s a tape from an ex.
Chick Flicks. Just because you like them doesn’t mean you should watch them when you’ll be the only single person in the theatre.
Heavily wooded areas or any place near water. These can be considered make-out places and on this day, you do not need to be surrounded by couples. No one will hear your screams.
Your parents and any exes you may have. That’s just asking for trouble. Your parents, if still together, will tell you stories of how much they are in love. If separated, they will tell you stories of how the other hurt them or how much they love your step parent. Any exes you may have… need I say more?
Your bedroom. Yes, I said it: your bedroom. That is the one place that will drag you down the most. There is no way in H. E. double hockey sticks that you should sleep all day in your pjs, surrounded by darkness etc,. no matter what type of person you are. This is a HOLIDAY people. You are to get out and celebrate. It’s YOUR S.A.D.
Why it’s Great to be Single

YOU get to be YOU. Some people find themselves changing who they are just to obtain and maintain a relationship with someone. Whether it’s to get someone to like them or to please the other person. Take the time to figure out who you are and be comfortable with that, you will be happier for it and you will find someone in your life who will too.

Plus, you won’t receive any messages in the middle of the night begging you to bail them out of jail or pick them up and take them to the McDonald’s drive-thru for that cheeseburger they’ve been craving, disrupting your awesome dream with Samurai swords and unicorns.

By: Kristy

Disclaimer: this article was originally published for “The Mind’s Eye” in 2013 in print, blog and website. This youth paper no longer exists. 😦