Being single on Valentine’s Day can feel…loud. The pink marketing, the prix-fixe menus, the couples content flooding your feed—it’s a lot, especially if you’re newly single, quietly heartbroken, or just tired of the whole production. If the holiday is hitting a little harder this year, you’re not being dramatic; you’re being human.
Relationship expert Adrienne Michelle explains that Valentine’s Day puts “a lot of pressure on people who are single, especially those moving through a breakup,” largely because it centers romantic love as the only kind that counts. But that’s not actually what the day is supposed to be about. “Love exists in so many forms—friendship, family, self-love—and those deserve celebrating too,” she says.
Being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to sit it out, fake a good mood, or spiral over what you don’t have. It can also be an excuse to do exactly what you want—no compromises, no expectations, no overpriced roses required. Michelle suggests shifting the focus to the love already in your life: “Celebrate what you have instead of wishing it looked different. You will have more—but maybe not this year. And that’s okay.”
Whether your ideal February 14 involves staying in, going out, hanging with friends, treating yourself, or fully ignoring the holiday altogether, there’s no wrong way to do it. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best single on Valentine’s Day ideas—all designed to help you spend the day feeling good, grounded, and very much unbothered.
1. Pamper Yourself With a Spa Day
You know what screams self-love? A full-blown, no-holds-barred spa day. If you’re up for some luxury, book yourself a bunch of services that make you feel like the royal you are. We’re talking massages, manis, facials, fluffy robes, and complimentary prosecco—you deserve it all. Working with a budget? Turn your home into a DIY spa with bubble baths, face masks, and some fancy cucumber water. Whatever you choose, let it be a day of indulgence.
2. Try a New Recipe You’ve Had Bookmarked Forever
There have got to be at least a few TikTok recipes you’ve saved. Pull ’em up and make a night of it! Run to the grocery store, buy what you need, and get to work. Make something hearty and delicious that really hits the spot and sets you up for The Best Night In Of All Time. (Bonus points if you Google the best wine pairing for said meal or whip up an at-home version of your favorite cocktail/mocktail.)
3. Take Yourself Out to Dinner
Taking yourself out to dinner is majorly underrated. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as making a reservation at your favorite restaurant, getting dressed up just for you, and ordering everything that makes your mouth water, just because you can. Bring a good book and bask in how good it feels to treat yourself the way you want (nay, deserve) to be treated.
4. Plan a Galentine’s Day
While you might be single, that doesn’t mean you have to spend Valentine’s Day by yourself. Even if your friends are relationship’d up, make separate plans with them to have the best type of celebration there is: Galentine’s Day. Sip on fun drinks, munch on even better snacks, and take the time to appreciate the wonderful friendships you have with the women in your life.
5. Embark on an Adventure
There’s literally no rule that says you have to wait for “your person” to take a vacay, day-cay, or otherwise peace out and explore. Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to set off on a solo expedition. Whether it’s a charming little French town across the globe or just the artsy café with the funky paintings in the trendy part of the city, the world is your metaphorical oyster.
6. Call Your Mom
Or your dad or your sister or your best friend or a member of your chosen family. Remember, this day is all about celebrating love—in all forms.
7. Listen to This Podcast
The geniuses behind the Betches Oversharing podcast (i.e., Betches co-founder Jordana Abraham and her sister, psychologist Dr. Naomi Bernstein) have a guided meditation for being single on Valentine’s Day. If it’s hitting hard this year, give this a listen.
8. Read Your Favorite Romance Novel
Remind yourself that love is alive and well by revisiting your go-to romance novel or picking up a new one. (Or reading some of these real-life love letters.)
9. Get a Tarot Card Reading
No matter how you feel about your single status, being uncoupled on V-Day can certainly find you wondering about your romantic future. One way to find out what may be in store for your love life (or at least spend some time meaningfully reflecting on your life and the direction it’s heading): get a tarot card reading!
10. Host a Solo Movie Marathon
I know the calendar says it’s V-Day, but really, it's the perfect day for some bed/couch-rot. Transform your living space into the ultimate movie den with comfy pillows, weighted blankets, and every damn snack you can dream of (without having to share). Whether you steer toward creepy thrillers to get your mind off the day or romance flicks so you can fantasize about your on-screen boyf/girlf, it’s all about celebrating your very impeccable, very distinguished taste in film.
11. Create a Vision Board
I know vision boards can feel kinda dated, but! Not only are they a fun excuse to buy a bunch of mags to get all crafty with, but the actual act of creating the collage helps focus your goals, clarify your desires, and manifest your dreams. So, go on. Grab those glitter pens and craft a vision board that’s as vibrant and ambitious as you are (or as you want to be). From travel pics to inspirational quotes, add any and all visuals that motivate you (or simply look fab for the aesthetic). Once you’re done, display the board somewhere you can see it to serve as a daily reminder of the exciting, unwritten saga that is your future.
12. Take a Fun Class
You don’t have to sit by and watch as the world around you celebrates romantic love and couples. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to learn, what better day to go out and do it? Whether it’s a cooking class, language class, workout class, what have you, focusing on yourself and putting that energy into a new skill is a great way to pour all that love into your brain.
13. Get Some Retail Therapy In
One of the best parts about being single on Valentine’s Day is that you don’t have to pretend to be excited about a gift from a significant other that you actually hate. I mean, who knows you better than you? Need some new jewelry? Clothes? Makeup? Nothing feels better than gifting yourself something you know you’re going to love. Michelle even suggests getting it gift-wrapped because yes! It's a gift to you!!!
14. Focus on Your New Year’s Goals
The cool thing about Valentine’s Day being in February is that it’s still pretty early in the year. So if you need an activity or goal to channel all that single-and-sufficient energy into, you can totally look at the list of New Year’s resolutions you probably found yourself neglecting already. Did you plan on becoming healthier? Trying a new hobby? Reading more? Not doing anything on Valentine’s Day? Now you are.
15. Do Some Pre-Spring Cleaning
It might not be spring yet, but get ahead of it! Clean out your closet, make a “donate” pile, throw out expired makeup and skincare, go through your fridge and throw out the banana that’s been sitting in the back for the past month (I’m not judging you, this is a mental note for me too)—you get it. Have your favorite movie on in the background, order your fave sushi, and at the end of the night, you’ll have both a clean space and a clean slate.
16. Take the Day Off From Instagram
If seeing other people’s bouquets, dinners, and other V-Day flexes on IG is going to make you feel even more salty about your situation, delete the app entirely or be mindful of your scrolling. “Don’t spend too long on social media if images of romantic Valentine’s Day gifts and pictures are going to haunt you,” says Keisha Blair, author of Holistic Wealth: 32 Life Lessons to Help You Find Purpose, Prosperity, and Happiness.
17. Use the Time to Connect With Your Single Friends
In the past, Valentine’s Day may have been a celebration for couples, but you don’t have to stick to that. Something as simple as hosting a dinner with other singles so that you can enjoy some laughter among friends can take away any negativity you might have about the occasion. If you’re feeling stressed about not having a significant other to spoil on the holiday, why not treat your friends instead? Even if they’re not necessarily your romantic partners, their role in your life is just as—if not even more so—important. Celebrate it!
