A lot of people have issues being alone on Valentine’s Day, but it can be a gift. Who needs a significant other when you would like, totally date yourself? Check out some of our suggestions below that are better than any box of shitty chocolate from CVS. 

Cook Yourself Dinner 

Yeah, it’s nice when someone else makes you dinner, but cooking for yourself is honestly a great way to relax. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but making yourself your favorite home–cooked meal will make you feel like a million bucks. If you want a classic comfort food, whip out some spaghetti and meatballs. To get extra fancy, you can make your own sauce, which will make you feel like you are in Italy, full of love and whatever other mushy shit people are into these days. 

Literally the easiest homemade sauce recipe:

  1. Dice ½ of a small onion and sautee until translucent in a pan over medium heat with a teaspoon of olive oil. 
  2. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and a teaspoon of oregano. Stir and cook until onions are brown. 
  3. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of garlic to the pan. Sautee for a minute. 
  4. Add two cans of crushed tomatoes and stir until the liquid is simmering. Turn the heat down to low and cover with a lid for 10 more minutes. 
  5. Add basil (as much or as little as you want, but maybe about 7 or 8 leaves cut into ribbons), stir, and serve over pasta or other noodle–like substance (looking at you spaghetti squash)

Get or give yourself a mani–pedi

Although this might be viewed as a girly activity, there is no better feeling than walking around with freshly groomed nails. Guys, girls, and everyone in between, you feel clean, polished and like you simply have your life together. Take the time to go on a date with yourself either to the nail salon—City Nails downtown is cheaper than some spots campus and they do a great job—or light a candle, take a nice shower, and do them yourself. 

Take a walk 

This is honestly such a treat. Rarely do we take the time for ourselves to just be, so take a walk somewhere. Whether it's along the Schuylkill River Trail or into Center City or along Baltimore Avenue, just go somewhere and enjoy the fresh air and your own company. You might even spot a bored–looking couple, which would be an instant mood boost!

Study date 

Honestly, not what you wanted to hear, but while everyone else is shaking it up and going to some overpriced, faux–romantic dinner, you can take the time to #GETSHITDONE. You will feel so much better after getting everything off of your plate, plus it’s a win–win situation. Maybe set up a study date with someone and see where that goes—you can kill two birds with one stone. 

Throw an axe 

Getting over an ex? Pissed that you're all alone on this day where it seems that everyone is paired up? Go throw things. Urban Axes in Kensington allows you to go and get all of that anger and frustration out, plus it's legal to throw dangerous objects! Schedule a group visit or head to their walk–in hours. Thrower beware: this place is 21+.

Buy a plant

Good news is that Valentine’s Day this year is on a Wednesday, which means that the farmers market is in town. Go and buy yourself a nice fern or other plant because who doesn’t love a little photosynthesis?! Plants supposedly make people feel better, plus you have to care for it. So, it’s kind of like having a significant other? Check out our guide to houseplants. 

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be for couples. Self–love is just as satisfying (if not more) as getting love from someone else. This Valentine's Day, you don't have to worry about other people because you've already landed a hot date with the baddest individual around: yourself. 

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