Let’s be honest. For one reason or another, Valentine’s Day just sucks some years.
Maybe your significant other stands you up to spend the evening with two other women (or men).
Or your husband is less than thoughtful and buys you a FryDaddy instead of that sparkly object you’ve dropped not so subtle hints about since Christmas.
Or maybe you’re single and you hate seeing all of those sappy couples flooding the restaurants.
Whatever the reason, the most romantic day of the year can be downright depressing for some.
There are plenty of articles and websites that give great advice on how to feel better about yourself or your lot in life on Valentine’s Day. So I’m not going to revisit well-tread ground.
Instead, I’m going to suggest ways to distract yourself in the event Cupid’s Arrow hit you in the butt instead of the heart on the most romantic (depressing?) day of the year.
Karen’s Surefire Ways to Forget It’s Valentine’s Day
- Go out and volunteer
Let’s face it. There are people around us whose situations are a lot more dire than just being single or having a thoughtless significant other on Valentine’s Day. So take the focus off of what day it is by focusing on someone else.
Volunteer at a homeless shelter, a battered women’s shelter, a nursing home or the pediatric wing of a hospital. Spend some quality time helping those who need it. Talk to and listen to the people there and let their lives and stories inspire your own life.
I always found that focusing my attention on others made it pretty hard to feel sorry for myself.
- File your taxes.
No joke. What better way to take your mind off of Cupid’s crappy aim than by wrestling with that unwanted suitor that also makes a yearly visit; the IRS.
If, at the end of your annual struggle with the United States Tax Code, you find yourself getting a refund then you have something to celebrate. Yay! Money! What to spend it on?
If you owe the tax man some silver, well, you won’t dwell on the fact that your mate is about as thoughtful as a toilet brush.
- Throw a Party
Misery loves company, right? And chances are, there are other people in your social circle who are either in your same lovelorn rowboat or would just rather avoid the public display of affection-fest going on around town.
So Invite one or more of your fellow hearts and flowers haters over to eat, imbibe and watch movies. Not romantic ones though. We’re trying to forget what day it is, remember? My core party group is partial to really stupid horror movies like “Killer Clowns from Outer Space” or anything from the “Mystery Science Theater 3000” franchise.
Distraction by dropping IQ points works almost as well as Distraction by Government.
There they are. My tips for distracting yourself if you need to. The day doesn’t have to be depressing. If all else fails just remember that it’s over in 24 hours!
For my male readers, I didn’t forget you but my lack of testosterone means I don’t know what you go through when it comes to Valentine’s Day. I’m sure some of you have your own reasons for hating “I heart you” day so please feel free to share those reasons in the comments below.
And don’t forget to share your favorite distraction techniques in the comments!
I just don’t acknowledge it. Its an old Jedi mind trick: “This isn’t the day you think it is. Carry on.” I that doesn’t work, there are movies for the jaded single person to watch on Valentine’s Day. I think they may have been made just for this purpose: “Dangerous Liaisons” and “The War of the Roses” are two of them.
Hi Dawn! Dangerous Liaisons is an awesome movie. It’s one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. I do find that as I get older, I care less and less about Valentine’s Day. Thank you for coming by!
Here’s what we go through…. Is that the right gift? Is that the right card? Should I get two cards, one funny and one serious? Will she think I actually read the card or just bought it ’cause it’s expensive? Do I have to get one of those newer cards that plays a sappy love song? Will she even be around? Did I check to see if she’s out of town on a business trip? Should I get a card from the dog or the cat? Will she appreciate that or think it’s lame? How will the card and the gift compare with other guys who have gotten her cards and gifts? Chocolates or flowers? Chocolates and flowers? No chocolates, no flowers: is that too cliche? Jewelry? Is that too forward? What does she like? Will the stone be big enough? Why do I let myself get wrapped up like this? Oh,God, who came up with this s****y holiday anyway? Wasn’t there a massacre or something once on Valentine’s Day? And is it Valentine’s Day or Valentines’ Day? Will I look stupid if I put the apostrophe in the wrong place? Will she even notice? Oh…. God…. No….
Wow, Michael! I think you’ve just turned me into a more understanding person. I knew the pressure was on for men on Valentine’s Day, but dang. As for who started this romantically torturous day (for some) check back Monday or Tuesday. I plan on answering that question!
And I hope you have a stress-free Valentine’s Day this year!
Michael, I am so with you! It’s always the funny versus the serious card and now there’s also the musical card option. I usually end up feeling a tad guilty because my husband always goes “all out”–Turtles with cashews and fresh flowers from him, cards from the cat and dogs, and when we had horses, there were even cards from them. We just got a new Aussie puppy to add to our menagerie and we decided that she would be our Valentine’s gift to each other this year–problem solved!
I’m going to go out on a limb and actually make a recommendation: this is what I got my wife… http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2965154 Before anyone asks, I’m not involved in this book! It’s just a really cool thing!
BTW: If any of you visit my wife’s blog, PLEASE don’t mention it!
That looks like a great book, Michael! How’d she like it? 🙂
Karen – wonderful article. Curious about the US tax sysem. Wonder if it is more complicated than here in Canada where you have to fill out 3 different forms in order to get 1 number for the main form…thank god for Turbo Tax! Seriously though, great suggestions for ignoring Valentine’s Day.
Michael – you’ve hit the nail on the head. I feel the same way in regards to getting my husband a gift. Is he going to like it, is it enough, should I get more, etc etc.
Schedule time for intimacy. When I make this sogtesgiun, couples think I am nuts. But think about it this way, if you have something scheduled on your appointment calendar, it gets done right? If you have an appointment at the doctor or dentist scheduled, you actually show up, right? Well, then it makes sense to schedule time for intimacy. If you don t, intimacy does not happen because of all the distractions we have that gets in the way. Intimacy is absolutely critical for keeping love alive. It is the one way we connect with each other at a deeper level. So go for it and schedule your once a week or twice a month intimacy days especially on Valentine’s Day.
Michael, your rant sounds all too familiar! We’ve all been there. The solution is to think waaaay outside the box. This year my partner and I decided to do something completely different and non-traditional. We got take out and watched The Walking Dead! As for a Valentine’s Day activity – we both loved it!
Hey Trevor! That actually sounds like a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. That’s an awesome show.
I’m also kind of against Valentines day, but im 16 so my wneasr isnt going to be like yours. Im against it because y do u have to plan a day when your with your loved one and maybe buy candy and flowers for them, go out to eat, you know, y cant we just decide when we want to do that instead of some day telling us that this is the day we should do this. Its pointless, some people might not feel like celebrating on that specific day, or may not have money to. This is why im against it, my issues arent as important as urs but they make sense