Crappy Valentine's Day!

We're coming up on that wonderful time of year again when everywhere you turn it's love, love, LOVE! Beautiful displays of artery-clogging candy and bounteous bouquets of blood, red roses. I'm talking Valentine's Day-yay! Or, actually, not "yay" because this year, you're nobody's Valentine-the two of you broke up, remember?

I am a recovering pessimist (on Step 8) and no one has ever mistaken me for Pollyanna (even from the back), but, believe it or not, I have a few positive things to say about the state-of-the-nonunion on Valentine's Day. Unless you're already circus-idiot happy about your singlehood, here are five (5) great tips for finding yourself alone on the day that everybody's coupled off:

• Will You Be Thine -So, you're single, big whoop. So's half the married population. Point is don't go thinking you're the creature from the chocolate lagoon just because you don't have someone to heart right this minute. Don't get sucked into the Valentine's day vortex and believe all the sugar-coated propaganda. Don't forget who we're talking about here: fabulous YOU! Your fabulousess does not fluctuate with the presence or absence of a valentine. It's inside you and here to stay. Remember that and buy yourself a bouquet you really like.
• Throw Yourself a Vity Party (Valentine's Day pity party)-feeling a little sorry for yourself? Acknowledge those feelings so you can be done with them and move on! Vity party favorites include making a drawing of your sad-cat feelings, putting it in a cast iron pot and sending those negative vibes away with the flick of a match. The truth will set you free.
• Celebrate Good (and single) times. COME ON! -Relationships that work do not end. If yours did (for whatever reason), it wasn't working. Thank the break-up god you are no longer in a non-working relationship and are now available for The One that will. From this perspective, Valentine's Day is a day of national singles' celebration! Rock on!
• Give Yourself a Goodie.or three - Don't wait around for someone to give you what you want. Give it to yourself. Avoid crowds and notorious romantic zones on the big day, but pamper yourself nonetheless. How about a pedicure, a facial or a massage? Enjoy your favorite DVD with a steaming mug of your favorite coffee or tea or download the latest hot tunes onto your iPod and have an energizing jog in the park. Do unto yourself as you would have others do unto you!
• Demand and You Shall Receive -Are you clear on your hopes and dreams? Do you know what you really want in a mate? Make your intentions known. Put your true desires out into the universe with a no-holds-barred, prince charming "treasure map". Write out the top ten things you want in life and then bury it, like a time capsule, in the back of your underwear drawer. Be very concrete and then.fuhgetaboutit at least until the next time you go digging for that sexy thong.