V-Day Is Not D-Day

Shutterstock

By Grace Tzeng

Since Valentine’s Day was yesterday, some of you without a sweetheart may have felt down about being single.   

Or even if you do have a boyfriend or girlfriend or spouse, yesterday may not have been what you expected. 

Believe me, I know how it feels.  Many years ago a guy I dated -- not a boyfriend -- told me two or three days after Valentine's Day that he didn't want to see me anymore.   

We were having lunch and he sat across from me at a restaurant.

In the middle of his goodbye speech he said, "I'm free now."  It hurt so much that I wanted to run out of the restaurant, but I didn't. 

What’s ironic is that in one month’s time, I saw him at the most four times.  And we used to live in the same city.  I didn’t smother him, but I guess he felt trapped or something.  Or maybe he felt free from the emotional roller coaster of dating. 

That was years ago and I'm over it. I realize that it's better to be alone than to be with someone who doesn't value me.

And this Valentines Day instead of feeling sad that I didn't have a boyfriend, I started this love and relationship blog.  I’ve turned a negative into a positive. 

So all those people who have had crappy Valentine’s Days, you don’t have to hold onto that V-Day/D-day. 

Here are a few ways to pep you up after a not-so-pleasant Valentine’s Day.    

 

• Friends and Family  

Spend time with your friends and/or family.  Have fun.  Surround yourself with people you love and who love you.  It’s important to talk and interact with people who appreciate you for who you are.  Cherish the special moments with them.  

• EHarmony.com or Match.com

If you’re single and down about it, be proactive.  If you’re looking for a mate, then sign up for an online dating service.  There are tons of dating sites out there.  I only mentioned two here because I know people who have tried those two services.  I know five couples who met that way and got married. 

Shutterstock

• Travel

If you can afford it and have some vacation days to spare, February is a good time to travel because rates may be lower than the fall holiday season or summer.

And think of all the places that you can visit, tantalizing your taste buds with the cuisine, discovering the scenic views, browsing around the shops and interacting with the people.

• Hobby or Class

Is there an interest that you’ve been thinking of pursuing for years, but found excuses to postpone it?  Why wait?  Take that belly dancing class.  Learn a new talent or language, whatever peaks your curiosity.  If there’s a hobby that you’ve been thinking about exploring, do it. 

Whether you’re trying to bounce back after a devastating Valentine’s Day, or just trying to get over the sight of red paper hearts plastered everywhere, just know that you are supposed to be where you are at in this moment of your life.  You are wonderful and lovable.