Don't have a date for Valentine's Day? That's no reason to sit at home and mope. A new, alternate holiday gives singles a break from the hearts, chocolate, and romantic pressure of Valentine's Day: Singles Awareness Day.
What is Singles Awareness Day?
It may have started as a joke, but Singles Awareness Day is now an actual holiday that is widely discussed and celebrated. Sometimes called "National Singles Awareness Day" or "Single's Awareness Day," it's celebrated any time between February 13 and 15. Some people celebrate on Valentine's Day itself, while others prefer to avoid the commercialism and pressure of February 14.
It's a chance for people who aren't in a romantic relationship to celebrate their single status, rather than feeling bad because they aren't living the fairy tale romance that Valentine's Day is all about. Single's Awareness Day is sometimes ironically abbreviated to "SAD," and singles will often wish each other "Happy SAD!"
An Alternate Valentine's Day
For those who find themselves without a boyfriend, girlfriend, or lover on February 14, SAD is an alternate holiday that they can celebrate – without all the guilt, inadequacy and self-abuse that Valentine's Day traditionally holds for single people.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate, either alone or with other people, to make February more cheerful despite the overwhelming pink and red decorations and the happy couples.
How to Celebrate Singles Awareness Day
Take your pick from the following. Most important is to make sure that this day is about you, having fun, and enjoying being single!
- Pick a Date – Decide whether you'd like to celebrate on February 14 – sometimes a bitter choice for those who are angry at an ex or resent Valentine's Day – or a more neutral day like February 13 or 15. Most people celebrate SAD on February 14 or 15.
- Greet Other Singles – Make sure to wish single friends a "Happy SAD!"
- SAD Cards and Gifts – Some single people choose to exchange gifts and cards with friends to celebrate the day.
- Treat Yourself – Get a massage or a spa treatment, send yourself flowers, buy a new outfit or take yourself out to the movies. Singles Awareness Day is the perfect opportunity to go on a date with yourself. Make sure it's something that's fun to do alone – there's no sense in feeling bad about the celebration you chose!
- Cheer Up a Friend – Spending time with friends who are newly single or especially lonely on Valentine's Day is a great way to improve someone's day – as long as you take care of yourself and keep your own mood high as well.
- Party – Singles Awareness Day parties are becoming more common! Singles may gather to commiserate about being single, or to celebrate their relationship-free status. Make sure to catch the tone of the party first, though, to find a gathering that suits your mood and feelings about the day.
Singles Awareness Day is a chance to celebrate being happy, sexy and confident alone, or by sharing the day with friends who are in the same place in their lives.
Source:
Singles' Awareness, "What is Singles Awareness Day?" SinglesAwareness.com, 2005.
Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.
Join the Conversation