Adventures of the chronically single.

Hot take, but singlehood on Valentine’s Day is criminally underrated. And before you go there, yes, this is totally a super cheesy article about single empowerment. I am proud to admit that.

I, Via Kelly, am a chronically single veteran. I’ve tried dating, but have yet to get the super sappy, stuck-to-each-other-like-glue stage. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of a relationship sounds fun. I am a lover of cheesy romance novels and rom-coms, with 10 Things I Hate About You being my favorite. I hope to find the Harry to my Sally, the Peter Kavinsky to my Lara Jean, the Patrick Verona to my Kat Stratford. But, unfortunately, I just have yet to find the person for me. I pride myself on my unattainably high standards. 

So, like every Valentine’s Day that has come before, I was single this past February 14th. That day, I woke up bright and early at 10 am and decided to get one of my favorite things in the world, an iced oat milk matcha latte. After that, the day was kind of my own for a while. I came back to my room, hit the gym, and took a shower. Could I have done those things with a partner or a date? Sure, I guess. But I am a firm believer that people don’t take enough time for themselves these days. Just having time to yourself to do what you want, when you want is freeing and peaceful. Valentine’s Day is a day for couples to treat each other. I think it should also be a day for singles to treat themselves. 

I personally think that another singles’ Valentine’s Day essential is a trip to a museum. My friend and I had been wanting to go to the Met Cloisters for months at that point, and we had finally been able to make it that Saturday. For anyone that hasn’t been, the Cloisters is a must-see. The exhibits are in a literal castle, classic old European style. There are beautiful stained-glass windows, old statuettes, and looming tapestries. It also houses an exhibit that changes every so often, but I would say that the other rooms, like the chapels and the atrium, are the real attractions. Of the Valentine’s Day museum trips that I have done, I would say that this was one of my favorites. I suppose that it wouldn’t be a bad place to take a date either, if you must. 

Finally, to end a great Valentine’s Day, I went dancing with my friend. I think that any good Valentine’s Day will involve some dancing. It doesn’t have to be with a date, just a close friend or two. For me, I had a great girls’ night out. We danced, met some new people, and just had fun and let loose. After, we were feeling a bit hungry, so we grabbed some pizza from Koronet. The perfect end to the perfect Valentine’s Day. 

To anyone who is like me and is chronically single, I have one thing to say. Enjoy it. There are small joys in being single that are harder to get in a relationship. Enjoy the singles era. Believe me, I’m saying that to a mirror as much as I’m saying it to you.

Snail from Public Domain Pictures