10 Reasons Not to Vy for a Valentine

Your summer fling(s) fizzled out – just in time for you miss the draft for cuddling season. You took some months for ‘self-care’ – inevitably, time to binge shows you actually like, hoard processed snacks (that’s what all this extra bed room is for, right?), and then counteract it all with gym sessions when you realize you’ve gone too far. Okay, so maybe you went mainly to post yourself in your compressive activewear. I see you, girl! That one squat counts for something!

Now, February’s upon us; the coldest, loneliest month of all. Nothing could make February worse – except, of course, the only national holiday with two sister holidays that exist solely to make the ACTUAL holiday less gutting. Galentine’s Day and Clearance Reese’s Day are here for you; and hey, you still have a furry (or scaly - I don’t judge) friend who loves you.

So, for those of us who are screwed – or aren’t going to be – here’s 10 R&B masterpieces to help us celebrate not being tied to a partner who hogs the remote, lectures you about online shopping, gets jealous about that one friend, and eats with their mouth agape. They probably think they’re too cool to get you a gift anyway.

1. 'Freedom' by Chris Wu (feat. Jhene Aiko)

This lesser known hit depicts the trouble a female undergoes simply to get some time for herself (and, potentially, a better-matched side piece) - because haven't we all had a partner that was half-human, half-octopus?

2. 'B.S.' by Jhene Aiko (feat. H.E.R.)

Hot Girl anthem of 2020? We say yes. And we're bringing it back to remind you that even if you can't move on with a Tesla, you can laugh about your ex's new infatuation not being the salacious catch you are.

3. 'Single Again' by Big Sean

Finding yourself in lukewarm relationships and flings? Look no further than this bouncy comeback song, here to remind you that the single life is for self-care, recentering, refocusing, and growth! There's plenty of fish in the sea, but sometimes we need to come up for air.

4. 'The Weekend' by SZA

Whether you've knowingly or unknowingly been the "other girl" (or even if you havent), this relaxed beat is sure to soothe your troubled heart. Somewhere out there, there's a girl getting a hundred roses that she thinks are 'just because' - when, in reality, they're apologies for whatever happened over the weekend.

5. 'She Don't' by Ella Mai (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)

This decade's rendition of "Irreplaceable" details the narrator's astounding ability to pick up and move on when her partner doesn't recognize her worth and philanders with another woman. Seemingly unfazed, she shuts down his all-too-familiar excuses - empowering us to do the same. What's the saying? Moving on to 'bigger' and better things?

6. 'Six Feet Under' by The Weeknd

This slight throwback contributes to this playlist by inspiring us to throw it back. This more upbeat jam is the perfect signal to pause your morning routine for a dance interlude, so find a wall or chair to help showcase your raw, unchoreographed talent; tiger!

7. 'Don't' by Bryson Tiller

We shuffle even further back in time with this steady R&B/rap hybrid; and this one goes out to yet another batch of exes who missed their shot with the best thing they'll ever have while dragging their feet in commitment. Just because your fish died in 7th grade doesn't mean you have an excuse to 'be scared to ever love again', Brad.

8. 'Best Thing' by Inayah

The hardest part of a messy break-up is taking the high road; but Inayah reminds us that the 'best thing' we can do for ourselves is make healthy changes in our lives - whether thats cutting out saturated fats or disloyal lovers.

9. 'What You Did' by Mahalia (feat. Ella Mai)

Shawn Mendes' 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' gets an extreme makeover with this hit, in the guise of a more palatable R&B flavor. But, as Mahalia attests, no relationship is worth compromising your self-love, and no good relationship ever will.

10. 'Back to the Streets' by Saweetie (feat. Jhene Aiko)

To close us out, here's one more bop to inspire you to get back out there, even if its just to get your back blown out. Because at the end of the day, no matter your exes' shortcomings, there are plenty more partners with plenty more to offer you, and settling should never be an option.

So celebrate! Because you aren't settling. Each year you remain outside the capitalist whirlwind of mainstream holidays, the stronger and wiser you become. Cheers to you!