It’s February, which means you can’t even buy a tube of toothpaste without being accosted by the sight of store shelves crammed with Valentine’s cards, teddy bears holding hearts and Kama Sutra products. What’s a single girl to do?

The antidote to the Valentine’s Day blues involves a healthy dose of humour and “glass half full” thinking. As someone who was single a very long time before getting married, here’s the advice I’d give my younger, single self:

1. Enjoy this time. No - seriously. The biggest complaint amongst my married friends is the loss of freedom marriage can bring. As a single woman, you and you alone decide where you live, what vacations you take, and how late you sleep in on the weekend. Take advantage of this time and use it to pursue whatever dreams you’ve been putting off. It could be as small as taking an art class or as big as starting your own business.

2. Plan a Girl’s Night Out complete with dinner and drinks and celebrate yourselves! Have each girl go around the room and say what they admire and love most about their friends. This is a powerful exercise used by business coaches to empower corporate executives. Since you’re the CEO of your own life, why not give it a go?

3. In the alternative, be proactive and plan an Anti-Valentine’s day party for all your single friends with the caveat that they in turn, invite 2 or 3 single friends of both genders. Have fun meeting new people!

4. Remember this very important lesson: Too often, we compare the reality of our lives behind closed doors, with the shiny, happy images others present in public. This is why it’s so shocking (and cliché) to find out that “perfect couple” is now getting divorced. Let your personal happiness come from within.

5. If a long-term relationship is your goal, now is a good time to be proactive. I recommend reading Dr. Diana Kirshner’s new book, Love in 90 Days – intelligent advice from someone who’s been there! Above all, remember this time won’t last forever. Use it to create the best possible life for yourself and chances are better, you’ll attract the best possible partner.

by Lisa Summers