Sometimes, it feels like the entire month of February is devoted to happy couples and swoon-worthy love stories. Of course, love is *absolutely* worth celebrating, but for all us girls who haven’t found our perfect plus-one yet? This szn can get pretty tough.

Whether you’re still pining over a crush, reeling from a messy split or don’t have anyone in mind, read on to find out how to beat the single girl blues and make this the best Valentine’s yet.

Skip the Rom-Coms

…and the romantic books, songs, poems, posts, etc. Yep, all of it. While it’s tempting to stay in bed all day listening to angsty love ballads, this won’t actually help you feel any better.

Instead, get out and do something you enjoy. Do you heart baking? Arts and crafts? Making music? Dive into whatever brings you joy to shake off any bad vibes.

Another way to bust the blues? Take a digital detox for a few days. Sometimes those V-Day photo dumps make us single sweeties feel even worse, so try to stay away from anything (or anyone!) that makes you feel like you’re missing out.

Surround Yourself With Single Friends

Not having an S.O. doesn’t mean you have to spend Valentine’s Day alone. Plan an amaze hangout with your fellow single friends to help all of you enjoy the day. If you can, avoid common date spots like the movies, restaurants or parks (more couples? No, thx!). Think of this as an opportunity to discover your next fave hangout spot by getting creative with your plans.

Want to brighten your single bestie’s day even more? Snag her some flowers or chocolates to remind her that you care.

If all of your friends are coupled up, spend the day bonding with your fam. Nothing can turn a day around like a little sib’s sweet smile or a hug from your grandparents.

Remember: Valentine’s Day is about all types of love, not just romance. Surrounding yourself with people who care can help you remember that.

Buy Yourself Flowers

You know who else should love you? You! If you haven’t already, start thinking about how you can prioritize self-care this V-Day. Whether it’s through a relaxing everything shower, a candlelit spa sesh or a morning meditation, remember to show yourself lots of love today.

Another way to bring yourself joy? Our girl Miley said it best–who needs boys when you can buy yourself flowers? Or chocolate, jewelry, a teddy bear or anything that speaks to you. If there’s something small that would make you feel special, feel free to splurge. You can *absolutely* be your own valentine.

Show Love to Others

Don’t spend the day obsessing over what you *don’t* have–instead, pour yourself into the relationships that you *do* have. Take a sec to think about everyone you know and what you could do to show them love.

Would it make your little sis’s day if you played dolls with her for a little while, or your bro’s if you helped him out with his chores? What about if you made your mom a special breakfast or dropped off a thoughtful gift for a friend feeling down? You could even volunteer with local charities to help out the needy.

Spreading kindness makes you and others feel better while (bonus!) keeping your mind off of Valentine’s Day. Do your best to be the ray of sunshine in everyone else’s day, and you’ll end up brightening your own.

Change Your Mindset

When you’re feeling down about your solo status, remember this: Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love. Love doesn’t always come in chocolate boxes or gorgeous bouquets. It can be your mom’s daily bear hugs, the card your cousin made you or a stranger holding the door for you. It’s in dinners with your annoying little sibs (they’re growing up fast!), your squad checking up on you after a rough day or the classmate who helped out when your backpack spilled all over the floor.

Love is all around us, but sometimes we get *so* wrapped up in one form of it that we lose sight of the rest. No matter what your ‘ship status is, you are absolutely loved. So go out there and slay your single V-Day, because you’re never really flying solo!

Looking for more ways to lift your mood? Peep our other articles down below!
🌻 Having A Bad Day? Here’s How To Deal
🌻 Five Ways To Rebuild Your Confidence After Rejection
🌻 How To Own Your Feelings (Even If It’s Hard)

Image Credits: @goodmeredith, @allisonbickerstaff, @itscaroxline, @itsjennaraine, @goodmeredith