No Valentine? No Problem.

Do you ever have those days where you open social media and you’re like “urgh, go away”? Well, Valentines Day feels like one of those days for me and its not because I am single. I’m married.

I don’t have anything against love and, obviously, I love my husband, but I find V-Day vulgar. It is blatant emotional peacocking. Everyone flexing their emotions and regurgitating them into overpriced balloons, roses, cards and chocolates.

Some days I already feel like I could drown in happy couples, gender reveals and soppy engagement announcements. So, why do these emotional flaunters need an entire day dedicated to something they do all the time? Why?

The crux of it is that you do not need another person, another half to make you whole. And isn’t it ridiculous that we know this 364 days of the year but on Valentine’s Day its different. You find yourself pining for a significant other or, worse, an ex-significant other. Or even worse, you realise you’ve taken the biggest love leap (marriage) straight into a rut. Most days you don't care, you can revel in the fact that you’re young, free (or happily married) and have your whole life ahead of you. But, Valentines Day? On Valentines Day you seem to care.

Craziness.

Being single doesn’t equal being bitter. I find it offensive that singledom can be looked at as shameful, embarrassing or something you should be pitied for. You may not have found that person yet but that certainly does not mean you won’t. It also doesn’t make you unlovable, high-maintenance, a player and all of the other cliché labels you can think of.

Love comes in all different shapes and sizes just like us. The archaic notion that there is a ‘one’ out there for everyone is rubbish. It is true for some people, it might be for you. But there also might be lots of ‘the one’s and, if there are, lucky you! Falling in love is different every time and those first few feelings, each moment with each person, you don’t get those back. They never repeat so don’t waste them and certainly don’t try to rush them. Plus, being single is a whole lot better than being with the wrong person.

So really, don’t worry. Valentine’s Day is just another stupid day created so that you spend money and guilt others into doing the same. If you find yourself sans significant other this Valentines Day, who cares? It is way more fun to dance around your apartment on your own in your underwear anyway. And, spoiler, I’m married and still do this more frequently than I would like to admit.

Instead of celebrating Galentine’s Day, burning your exes belongings or campaigning against love how about we just ignore the theme altogether? That way, it’s just another Sunday and who cares if you’re single, taken or not ready for labels? The more power you give the day the more it will inevitably chew you up and spit you back out. After all, it is just a day.

This Anti-Valentines Day playlist exists to make you groove, involuntarily, voluntarily, expertly, stupidly, whatever. The songs in there are not against love or the wonderful world of it. They just don't really mention it. They're not even about breakups, getting revenge, surviving heartbreak...you get the point. They exist, together, to make you groove. On a day when you're getting 'love' shoved down your throat, dancing is good for the soul. So go on, get up and groove. Saint Valentine was probably an arsehole anyway.

If you don’t fancy grooving to a totally awesome Anti-Valentines Day playlist then why not try one of these very normal any day activities instead:

1. Put on some activewear and get your blood pumping

2. Cosy up with a really great book

3. Binge a spectacularly rubbish show

4. Cook yourself a slap up meal

5. Call your parents

6. Regret calling your parents

7. Watch a movie, any genre, you pick

8. Invent the next best cocktail

9. Go for a walk

10. Treat yourself

11. But seriously, listen to this playlist

You can also do literally anything else aside from thinking about the V-word. You know the one I mean. Enjoy!