It is painfully obvious that Valentine’s day isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean that being single on Cupid’s favorite day is a bad thing.

Chances are relatively high that the majority of single men and women know Valentine’s Day by another name: Single Awareness Day, the day where we are all reminded that we are single, either by choice or by circumstance. Is being single a bad thing? Of course not. If you don’t want to be single anymore, then you go out and try to meet people. Is this an easy task to accomplish? Absolutely not, but that is besides the point. The point is, there is nothing wrong with being alone on Valentine’s Day, regardless of what society says or what your friends think.

Have you ever taken the time to really look at what people do on Feb. 14 every year? The gifts, the dinner reservations, the flowers, the chocolates, etc, etc, etc. All of the spending adds up, and for what? To try to materialize this concept we all refer to as love? Or so men and women can try to buy their way out of the inevitable argument that will come up if there is no recognition of what this day supposedly stands for? Either way, it is an expensive “holiday,” and one that those who are single should enjoy missing out on. Obviously not everyone in a committed relationship cares about chocolates of frilly pink hearts, but the majority obviously do.

So, instead of thinking on the dark side when it comes to February solitude, look to the silver lining. You don’t have to worry about hotel reservations, over-priced dinners, purchasing copious amounts of chocolates and/or flowers, or the possibility of required sexual intercourse that tends to follow the purchasing of such extravagant gifts. Stay in and read a book. Go to the movies. Eat a dinner that you actually want to eat. Go on an adventure. Do something for yourself. Does it feel bad being alone on Valentine’s Day? It can most definitely feel bad, but is it the end of the world? No way! Does it take time to get into this mindset? Unfortunately this is a learned habit, and while it is much more affordable in the long run, it can most definitely be a depressing night.

To all those who spent their Valentine’s alone, it’s not the end of the world. Chances are, you have a lot more money in your checking account the day after than those who had to max out a credit card or two in order to appease a high maintenance partner. So, there is that small benefit to keep your hopes up. And there’s always next year of course.