Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a joyous time devoted to your sweetheart, but if you’re recently divorced, this holiday can be anything but happy. Don’t let that happen to you. Valentine’s Day is just another day to you and you don’t need anyone else to make it great.
Be Prepared
Don’t enter the dating field until you feel fully prepared to handle the day. This may be the first Valentine’s Day in years that you’ve spent alone, which can be very difficult if you’re not prepared. Make a plan to do something fun and productive instead of moping around.
Take Care of Yourself
On the fateful morning, don’t wallow in your pajamas. Get up, get dressed, and work extra hard on your appearance! Remind yourself of all your positive attributes and eat a healthy breakfast. Taking care of yourself should be your first priority for Valentine’s Day.
Don’t Turn on the TV
It may be tempting to turn on the TV for the night, but that would be a mistake. Staying in makes it too easy for you to sulk and wish you were elsewhere. Instead, distract yourself by going out. Ask a few close friends to go out with you. Do something you love with people who love you that does not involve sulking at home.
Attend Singles Mixers
If an appropriate amount of time has passed since your divorce, consider going to a Valentine’s Day single’s mixer party. Avoid huge parties where the music is loud and the booze is plentiful. Such parties can impair your judgment. Instead, opt for low-key, intimate parties where you can meet new people. Just make sure you have a wing man/woman.
Go Home Alone
After you’ve gone out for the night, come home alone. Your judgement may be impaired on such a meaningful day. You might be afraid to be alone that night, but going home with someone or taking someone home with you may be an irreversible mistake you’ll regret in the morning.
Treat It Like Any Other Day
Though Valentine’s Day once held great significance, it’s now just another day and should be treated as such. Don’t let it ruffle your week. If you would normally go to the grocery store on the same day of the week that Valentine’s Day falls on, do it. Ignoring the holiday for one year is just fine.
Celebrate You
If you’re really down about the holiday, forget the tradition of celebrating your love for your sweetheart. Instead, celebrate your love for yourself. Do something really special for you. Buy yourself something you normally wouldn’t, get a massage, or take yourself out to a fancy dinner. Celebrating you may be the best way to survive your first Valentine’s Day following the divorce.