How not to be disappointed on Valentine's Day

Are you in love? Broken hearted? Coupled up? Singled out?

Doesn’t matter. This message is for you regardless of your romantic status. You can avoid disappointment on Valentine’s Day by remembering this one thing: Love is all you need.

What? Did you expect a different sentiment? Did you want us to get our snark on and rage against the onslaught of chocolate hearts, peanut butter hearts, marshmallow hearts, candy hearts that say “Marry me,” hearts on cards, hearts on underwear, flowers, lingerie, diamonds, proposals, and love songs? Well, we considered it, but this sugarcoated holiday is nearly impossible to avoid. So we’re going with a tip that’s more realistic. (Don’t worry. We’ll unleash the snark on Groundhog Day right when you least expect it.)

Here it is again: Love is all you need. No, really. It is.

Because right now there are probably at least 88 things you can list that you love. That’s 88 things that make you feel grateful, amused, comforted, happy, excited, entertained, lusty, fortunate, or effin fabulous. And maybe some have to do with romantic love, but there’s probably a ton that don’t. And that’s what you can focus on to avoid a sucky Valentine’s Day.

Because the truth is, love doesn’t have to be taken so seriously. You can love the hell out of your favorite t-shirt or pet hedgehog or the little old man who runs the corner bodega. You can love your grandma or your iPhone or that cute guy on the show “Chuck.“

And while some of these things can’t give you a card and say, “I love you,” back, they can bring you pleasure and make you feel alive. And that’s really all you need to have a good Valentine’s Day. Or any day for that matter.

Don’t wait for someone to make you feel loved. Don’t feel bad if you see a flower delivery that’s not yours. Pay no attention to all the PDA. Who cares if you stay in. Who cares if you do or do not have a boyfriend right now. Focus on everything you do have. Focus on what – or who – you love. Surround yourself with that, celebrate it, and be thankful. That’s the trick to making this day feel lovely.

And this goes without saying, but that never stopped us before: You better include yourself on that list of 88 things you love!

We heart you,
Bedsider