How to Avoid the Valentine Blues

We’ve been waiting for it all week long. It’s finally here. Happy Valentine’s day to everyone. We’re all really excited. And in the words made famous by Seinfeld yada yada yada. Or bla bla bla.

But the truth is that this day can be very difficult for a lot of single people. You may still be waiting for your knight to show up. Worse yet, you may have found your true love and lost him. Love hurts. Most of us have experienced the pain, and either running away from it, or are still anticipating it showing up at our doorstep – preferably in the form of a 6 ft 2, 200 pound, dark haired gainfully employed and polite young man with a mother who loves him but doesn’t smother him.

Being the altruistic person that I am, and in an effort to help my fellow man – or woman – I thought I’d share a few tips I’ve picked up over the years on how to avoid the Valentine’s Blues.

1. Turn off the TV. Hey broken hearted, still waiting for true love, big hearted single, do yourself a favor today and turn off the TV. If you do feel compelled to watch something, don’t go any further than fox news. Whatever you do, I mean, whatever you do, avoid the hallmark channel and lifetime. Those are killers. You’ll be tempted to watch the sugary syrupy love stories but they will leave you morose and dissatisfied. Unplug the TV and thank me later.

2. Put the scrapbook on the highest shelf. Nothing hurts more than a walk through memory lane of all the regrets you’ve had in life, reviewing all the things you should have said but didn’t, or dreaming of all the things you should have avoided saying. The past is history. Keep that scrapbook on the shelf. You can’t undo past mistakes. That guy you’re still pining for is happily married with a handful of kids. Wait until a sunny day in April if you want to walk down memory lane. But for now, you can do even better and choose what I’ve done: burn the scrapbook. God has me exactly where he wants me to be. Hand to the plow, no turning back.

3. Generally avoid restaurants. If you’re single, this would be a good day to actually have a bowl of cereal for dinner or work through dinner. As a general rule, couples do in fact go out to eat on valentine’s day. And they’re usually on their best behavior sans kids. Going out to eat on this evening will only magnify in your mind what you think you need to be happy. If you’re starving, Jared’s always a great place to hang out. If you see a man romancing his woman at Jared’s, you will walk away thrilled to be single. If he’s cute, wait outside the door. A break up may be on the way!

4. Stay off the internet especially facebook. You can thank Mark Z for this, but nothing will depress you more than browsing through this online live scrapbook. The odds are you’re still facebook friends with your old ex, purely out of pride or the spirit of espionage. Watching their lives with their new loved ones flash before your eyes will only bring you down. They will look thinner than you remember them to be, they will look funner than you remember them to be. Further, do not plug in the names of old boyfriends and try to find out who they married and how miserable they are. I’m sure they are happier than clams. Shut the twitter off. Slam the facebook shut. Save it for the other 365 days of this year, and starting tomorrow make sure you follow me on twitter @Linamay.

5. Avoid being alone. Staying home alone on this day will breed self pity and sadness. Don’t do it. If all your friends are married, consider that it may be time to move or find new friends. The world – including churches – is full of single folks. Find them and have a mixed party together. Remind them not to turn on the TV. Having guys at your party will ensure you don’t end up on the wretched hallmark channel or watching a dumb romantic comedy. It’s not too late to throw a party tonight. Plus this could be your big chance to find that special someone.

6. Reach out and touch someone. I know, I know. I’m caving to the hallmark pressure, but it’s true. This is a great day to take the focus off yourself and love someone in need. My plan today is to visit a friend who is at the hospital even though I have very little time to do it. I know it will make her day. Loving others brings joy and satisfaction to your life. Stop waiting to be loved – remember Jesus loves you always – and go on extending that same kind of sacrificial love to someone who needs it.

What are you planning to do on this valentine’s day? Leave a comment with your ideas to avoid the valentine blues.