Holidays Information

Going Solo on Valentines Day: Advice For Singles


The stores are decorated in candy hearts, flowers and bears. Every TV or radio commercial reminds you that it's time to remember your sweetheart on this special day for lovers. Your feelings range from sadness, to revulsion to anger. What's a single person to do? The following suggestions are designed to both answer that question and to help you have a good day after all, while working to make it your last solo one.

Celebrate the day by planning an activity that is meaningful and enjoyable to you.

Choose something that provides you with a special treat.

* Go to a day spa for "the works"

* plan an intimate dinner for 3 or 4

* go ice-skating or to the movies with a fun friend

* go out to dinner and a movie with a group of other singles

* Focus on what you enjoy and make a conscious decision about how to mark the day

* Un-Valentines Day parties are very popular and can be a lot of silly fun. You can attend one or throw one of your own.

Design a relationship-building plan.

Let the holiday provide you with the motivation to take risks, try new ideas and gain the knowledge that will enable you to find and create a lasting, intimate relationship.

* Sit down at the computer or with pen and paper in hand and get your plan written down.

* Begin by making a list of resources that can be used to help you meet available singles. These can include: on-line dating sites, singles groups, volunteer activities, or participation in sports or other activities that you enjoy.

*Decide when and how often you will participate in any activity you have chosen.

*Make a budget for both time and available funds for this purpose.

*Do your homework and research each resource so the information will be available when you need it.

Review those resolutions you made, or make some if you haven't yet.

Think about what is really important to you. Remind yourself that implementing and sticking to these will help ensure that you are really ready for that special relationship. Being the kind of person you want to be with is the first step.

Begin with concrete goals. For example:

*stick with a healthy diet

* exercise three times a week

* plan one organizational task per week, etc.

Taking care of yourself and living well will optimize your chances for relationship success. Start today.

Work to eliminate negative thinking.

When a negative thought comes into your mind, take a moment to think about what is beneath it. Then, tell yourself that thinking this way is not good for you. Make a decision to drop the thought and try to think of something (anything) that is positive. It can be as simple as focusing on what a beautiful day it is outside, to feeling grateful that you survived the current wave of lay-offs in your company.

Use this technique for situations as well. Ask yourself how you can view the situation differently. Try to find one positive angle or outcome that could result from an otherwise bad situation. For example, you are being laid off from your job. You have been unhappy for a long time, but could not motivate yourself to do anything about it. Now, you have the motivation to look for a new job, or perhaps change careers. Think of all the possibilities that could open up for you.

Negative thinking is a downward spiral that leads to negative behavior and possibly depression. Consciously choose to challenge these thoughts, and empower yourself with a more positive outlook and approach to life.

Hopefully these tips will assist you in having a better "solo" Valentine's Day than you might have been headed for. Enjoy the day by doing something fun. Then focus on your relationship plan and empower yourself to build the healthy, lasting relationship of your dreams.

Toni Coleman is a licensed therapist and relationship coach in private practice in McLean, Virginia. She specializes in working with singles who want to create lasting, intimate relationships. Toni has over 20 years of post-masters experience in relationship counseling and coaching with singles and couples. She is the founder and President of LifeChange Coaching and Consum-mate Relationship Coaching. She developed and teaches the Creating Lasting Relationships Training, a tele-workshop designed to help singles to define, implement and fulfill their life and relationship goals. She has also written numerous email classes for singles on all aspects of meeting, dating and relating. She is the author of the email newsletter, The Art of Intimacy, which goes out to thousands of subscribers monthly. http://www.consum-mate.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Get Into the Holiday Spirit for a New Job
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
Even though a layoff or job change can put a real damper on one's Holiday spirit, now is not the time to slow your networking and job search efforts. ...
Announcing Publication of 'Job Search: The Total System, 3rd Edition' MarketWatch
all 15 news articles


Social Release: PetSmart(R) Brings Comfort and Joy to the Holidays
CNNMoney.com - 9 hours ago
According to a recent PetSmart® (NASDAQ: PETM) survey, at least 81 percent of pet parents give their pet a special gift or treat during the holiday season. ...
Puppy bling? Kitty couture? Perfect holiday pet gifts CTV.ca
all 9 news articles


Lucky Brand Launches a Unique Consumer-Generated Coupon for the ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
"Holidays have gotten extremely stressful, especially this year with all the pressures of the economy," says Kristin Patrick, VP Marketing Lucky Brand. ...


CBS News

Shopping local for the holidays
York County Coast Star, ME - 20 hours ago
Shops in our downtowns of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells and Ogunquit often are visited by the first rush of holiday shoppers then, most getting a boost to ...
Black Friday kicks off the holidays SLCC Globe Link (subscription)
Early Sales May Not Mean Strong Holidays, Group Says (Update1) Bloomberg
Holidays still a boon for Alaska retailers Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Marketnews.ca - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader
all 960 news articles


ABC News

Online retailers may still enjoy happy holidays
NASDAQ, New York - 17 hours ago
Some retailers may still end up having a happy holiday season, now that "Cyber Monday" seems to have produced heavy sales activity. ...
Video: Online Retailers See Monday As Black Friday AssociatedPress
E-tailers expect 8% bump for holidays Atlanta Journal Constitution
Report: The 2009 holidays may not be as bleak BizReport (press release)
Monticello Herald Journal - istockAnalyst.com (press release)
all 2,000 news articles


Andrews Kurth Delivers Gifts in Time for the Holidays
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
Andrews Kurth LLP Managing Partner, Bob Jewell, announced that the firm is donating over $100000 in cash and food to those in need this holiday season. ...


Local.com(R) Supports "Toys for Tots" for the Holidays
MarketWatch - 12 hours ago
a leading local search site and network, today announced the launch of a new holiday program in which the company will be donating one toy to Toys for Tots ...


There's No Place Like the Bathroom During the Holidays
MarketWatch - 15 hours ago
Running to the bathroom and unpredictable digestive symptoms often make road trips difficult, socializing embarrassing and enjoying popular holiday meals ...


New York Times

Keeping Holidays Beautiful, and Safe
New York Times, United States - Dec 3, 2008
By JAY ROMANO WHAT would the holidays be without lots of tiny twinkling lights? Less colorful and festive, for starters — but also a lot safer. ...


NZ Herald Wellington Metro

Leavin' on a Jet Plane? Karaoke arrives at Bush airport
Houston Chronicle, United States - 16 hours ago
Or, if you're not such a Grinch, you can croon Home for the Holidays or Sentimental Journey. For the first time, the Houston Airport System is adding ...
Leaving on a jet plane? Texas airport has karaoke The Associated Press
Travelers can do karaoke at Houston airport KLTV
Texas Airport Sets Up Karaoke Booths KWTX
all 118 news articles

Holidays - Google News

home | site map
© 2006