LIFE

Be grateful that it falls on a weekday this year. Seriously, who wants to go out on a school night? Not me. And who really is going out for that idealized romantic, candlelit dinner on a Tuesday?

Surround yourself with things that make you feel good. Whether it’s rocking out to your favorite band, dancing crazily in your room, reading your fave childhood books or gobbling up the cookies you just made, do whatever it is that makes you happy.

Don’t go it alone. Spending the day scoffing solo at cartoon cupids and mushy PDA in the hallways won’t make ya happier. Trust me. Find a buddy who feels that same way you do, and giggle together.

Rock your own rules. Creating your own traditions that you totally adore will give you something to look forward to year after year. Maybe you’ll read your favorite chapter book on this day every year. Or maybe you’ll memorize a new music video dance every year. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you love.

Pamper yourself. Do yourself a favor and show Y-O-U a li’l bit of love. Get your nails done, take a long bubble bath, buy that skirt you’ve been eyeing—go for it!

Reconnect with an old friend. Don’t think of it as an over-commercialized day for lovers. Instead, envision it as a day about showing your buds how much they mean to you. If you’ve got a long-lost buddy from elementary school or your old neighborhood, send ‘em a card, give ‘em a call or chat ‘em up on Facebook.

Go do good. Get out there and volunteer for a few hours after school. It’ll make you feel like you’re making a difference—‘cause you are, duh—but it’ll also get your mind off of your own probs and make you pay attention to the sticky sitches other people are in.

Do something you really want to do…but nobody else does. Maybe you’re eyeing that new sci-fi thriller or you can’t wait to visit a funky new museum. Whatever it is, go out and do it girl, and don’t worry about flying solo. If you can’t get it done on Tuesday, make definite plans to do it over the weekend.

Be courageous. If you’re hatin’ the day because your crush didn’t ask you out, pluck up the courage to ask him out on the big day for a date after Valentine’s Day. Use the cute cards to your advantage and go all “Be my…after-Valentine” on him.

Redefine the day. Instead of thinking of Feb. 14, 2012, as “Valentine’s Day,” think of it as “the day I ran a mile in eight minutes” or “the day I made Granny’s cheesecake all by myself” or “the day I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time.”

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016