10 Reasons to Celebrate Singles Awareness Day
Tue, Feb 14, 2012
Ah, February 14th. One of the many times of year when I’m reminded that I will be single forever (the others being weddings, bachelorette parties, baby showers, major holidays, and just about any other occasion that requires me to socialize). This day is especially annoying for me because I never once had a decent Valentine’s Day, even when I was married.
But I’m not here to complain. There are plenty of reasons to ignore Valentine’s Day - or stab it in its figurative heart via social media and/or a blog post, if you’re into that sort of thing. But there are also a number of reasons to celebrate Singles Awareness Day instead of crying into a box of chocolates while watching How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and relating all too well to Kate Hudson.
1. It’s budget-friendly. When you’re single, there’s no pressure to buy sappy cards, stuffed animals, or heart-shaped boxes of anything. You don’t have to go out to dinner unless you just feel like it, though I have to warn you - you WILL be subjected to tons of couples acting like idiots.
2. You’ll never have to give (or receive) an open heart necklace. The women of Twitter have spoken. Last night, we determined that the open heart necklace looks like either (a) boobs and a butt, (b) a dangling scrotum, (c) a swan who was injured in a car accident, or (d) all of the above.
3. No one will serenade you. Have you ever seen someone being serenaded in public? They always look SO awkward and embarrassed, probably because people who do those things in public CAN’T SING.
4. You don’t have to get your hopes up for a flower delivery. I used to love watching my coworkers on Valentine’s Day. The morning would start with, “I really hope John sends me flowers!” By mid-morning, it was, “I mean, surely he’s going to send me something.” If no delivery occurred by lunch, words were replaced by furious grunts and we were ordering the stupid flowers ourselves just to prevent workplace violence.
5. You don’t have to shave your legs. Let’s be honest. In this part of the world, it’s COLD in February. Shaving, stuffing myself into a skintight dress, and wearing heels on snowy sidewalks are not my idea of a fun time. Your leg hairs will grow out by the time you even get to the car!
6. You don’t have to pretend to get along with someone. I wish I could count the number of times I’ve heard someone say, “Well, I’m kind of done with the relationship, but I want to wait until after Valentine’s Day so I can get my gift!” Or, alternately, “I can’t stand her, but it would be mean to break her heart before Valentine’s Day!” Yes, because it won’t bother her at all on any other day.
7. No sappy movies. I can’t be the only female on the planet who despises chick flicks. Yet for some reason we’re programmed to watch them at least one day a year. Yeah, you enjoy watching some predictable story about love that endures against the odds. I’ll be watching Star Trek.
8. No need to check in on Facebook. While everyone else is all “Eating dinner with the best boy/girlfriend EVER!” or “OMG I’M ENGAGED!!!!!” while posting a thousand obnoxious pictures, you can take a break from Camp Zuckerberg for awhile. Believe me, you won’t miss anything important.
9. No post-date discussion. You won’t be expected to give a play-by-play of your Valentine’s festivities because everyone will assume you stayed home crying lonely tears. Let them think that! The less your friends or coworkers know about your personal life, the better. And they won’t make you listen to their stories because they might offend you. Darn.
10. You don’t need a significant other or a certain day to know that you rock. Too many people define themselves by their role in a relationship. After 2 years of singledom, I’ve learned that I’m WAY cooler on my own than I ever was with someone else. If it weren’t for days like Singles Awareness Day, I never would have figured out all the things that are awesome about me. Personally, I’d rather have that than a box of chocolates any day!
Hear hear!!
Haha. My favorites ones (and I totally relate) are #4, 5 and 8. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about whether or not I'll get a bouquet of flowers. I can't stand shaving my legs, putting on a tight/uncomfortable dress (that I'll be popping out of once I eat dessert) and breaking my neck in heels. Single gals unite!
The Facebook mania of "I'm engaged" is crazy this time of year. I will be doing my best to avoid all that on social media today!
I told myself I'd stay away from Facebook, but I had to check. So many flowers and pieces of jewelry I wanted to vomit!
Hysterical! I am going to post a link on my site so all my other single readers can enjoy!
You missed the biggest benefit of singles awareness day. It gives my boss the excuse to bake, and that woman can bake. Today it's chocolate and white chocolate covered strawberry cake balls. I'll be going into a sugar induced coma shortly.
Random question: Why does disqus hate me, but only here? It makes me do all kinds of page switching before actually letting me comment, but only from this computer on this site. &^*^#$% conspiracy I tell you.
OMG CAKE BALLS!!!! I love those things. *drools*
Several people have issues commenting from work. I think most workplaces realize that there is nothing productive to be found here.
Well given that we're down while they break, I mean update our software staying awake at my desk is highly productive.
I'm planning on having fun this Vday and I found that playing the "I'm a victim" card is never cool, especially on Valentine's Day. If you're single, so what? It's not like you just found out you have leprosy, you can still be happy and not walk around whining all day.
I think it's much easier now that I work from home and don't have to deal with the annoying office politics associated with Valentine's Day.
I agree with that 100%. It's much less stressful when I don't have to stand around an office full of women squealing over what they got or what they're getting or what they hope to get.
I would like to just say that I plan on watching The Shining tonight while my guy plays some random video game. I really only like Valentine's Day for chooclate and I plan on buying that myself-that way I don't have to share if I don't want to (and I'm waiting until it goes on sale tomorrow). Maybe I'm just weird though.
Good idea re: chocolate going on sale tomorrow! I LOVE the cream-filled chocolates, and now I fully intend to buy some. Thanks for the inspiration!
I went yesterday and spent $10 (the amount I'd decided to spend on chocolates) and got 2 huge boxes. They are amazingly good.
I'm sure the facebook status today will make me want to bard. I totally agree with all of this (even though I do have a BF), I just do not like Valentine's Day at all
#1. I like chocolate.
#2. I don't like chick flicks either.
#3. I have a honey but I think Valentine's Day is overrated, so we decided to have a very nice dinner at home. No crowds, sappiness, or overpaying for that chocolate, etc. that's cheaper every other day of the year. Win win!
I like your post, though. I've had crappier Valentine's days while I was in relationships than I did by myself, so I like it that you're promoting the benefits of being single on that day. Thanks!
I think a dinner at home is way more fun than fighting the crowds at a restaurant. It's like Valentine's Day is some kind of competition to see who can spend the most money. Hope you both had a wonderful evening!
Is it just me, or does it not seem like a good valentine's day if it falls on a weekday? Maybe I'm just a kill joy. I have too much to do tonight to go out and since me and the boycreature are in a friend's wedding this weekend, we've just sort of rolled our eyes and moved on to the more practical side of the week. After all. It's one day. We spend the whole year showing each other how we feel.
I agree - it's kind of like when Halloween falls on a weekday. It's just not the same. Yet it sucks when Christmas is on the weekend because you don't get as many days off work!
Happy Single Awareness day!!!
I am married and I can honestly say I don't like V-day for the reasons you mentioned. I stopped going to FB a while ago because you can't post anything without offending someone. Mention loving your new front loader cause it saves water, time, and your clothes someone calls you out for bragging about having money, mention having a rough nite sleeping someone with a newborn yells at you for being inconsiderate cause after all they have had no sleep for 2-8 weeks, etc.
I can't imagine what today will bring out!!!
BTW I am sick and haven't shaved for days and won't today either
I agree re: Facebook. If I didn't use it to talk to extended family, I'd probably just delete my account. Over half my friends are hidden from my newsfeed because they're so annoying. Of course I'm probably hidden from quite a few newsfeeds as well!
I won't even talk about how long it's been since I shaved my legs. I'll put it this way - a few years ago, my mom bought me a 12-pack of razors for Christmas. Along with a note that said "This should be a year's supply!"
Even now that I'm married, I still sorta hate Valentine's day-perhaps it's because I did have so much disdain for it when I was single.
oh and p.s. i'm married and I still rarely shave my legs. I just don't have hairy legs and shaving is a pain…
Don't worry Andrea, I also hate all manner of rom-coms and chick flicks. Although my best friend and I do sometimes watch them together so we can mock them, even then I only last about 30 minutes. That open heart necklace is beyond ugly…injured swan all the way.
SO many people clicked the link to see the ugly open heart necklace. It warmed my soul to see all the exit clicks. One of my Facebook friends got one and I laughed.
Lol. Not sure if I am allowed to comment on this one but I want to add something.
If you are single and strong of heart you can probably get two meals for the price of one at a fancy restaurant or valentine's special at your favourite food joint. I'd definitely capitalize on this one.
Happy Singles Awareness Day.
Ooh, there's something I didn't think about. I should have cried about being single when I picked up lunch today!
I haven't seen that "open heart" necklace before but wow! It looks like a snake to me - while it might be cute if you know, you were into snakes, doesn't seem like the best thing to give to someone in a relationship.
Your love is like a snake: fast and poisonous.
LMAO at fast and poisonous. I just think it's the ugliest concept in the world. I'd love to know who designed it so I could mail them a flaming bag of poo.
Looks like you are enjoying being single. Congrats. Enjoy it while it lasts since most people eventually find someone.
OH NOES! Don't say that!!! I've been single for 2 years and I want to stay that way!
I really enjoyed this post, Andrea. And I agree about the open heart necklace, thought that for years. BTW, my husband wished me Happy Halloween this morning.
Now THAT is awesome. Was he confused or just being cool?
I'm part of a couple, and I'm sooo in agreement with all of these! To be honest, my leg hair is an extra layer underneath my clothes when I'm going out in -40C. You know what else looks like balls? The hercules knot necklace from Spence Diamonds (seriously, google it!). What is with cheap ass jewellery looking like ballsacks anyway? Whenever I've seen public serenades (or even private) in movies or something I always get super secondhand embarrassment, they are SO. AWKWARD.