Single on Valentine’s Day? Here's how it might be affecting you

February is the month of love. Everywhere you look, you see couples planning extravagant dates, exchanging gifts, and posting picture-perfect moments on social media. The entire world is celebrating the warm and fuzzy feeling of love—except you. Being single on Valentine’s Day is not a fun feeling (for some people), especially if you haven’t embraced your singlehood with confidence. As you spiral into negativity, you might start feeling angry, jealous, and emotionally drained as the day approaches—telltale signs that not having a date on Valentine’s Day is taking a toll on your mental well-being.

Here’s what to look out for

You start feeling an overwhelming sense of jealousy

It’s a natural human emotion, but it can become immensely problematic when you start comparing your life to others. Seeing couples flaunt their happiness on social media might make you envious and wish you had the same. If you find yourself scrolling through social media and resenting every single lovey-dovey post, it’s a clear sign that Valentine’s Day is affecting you more than you’d like to admit.

Your self-esteem taking a beating

Not having a date on Valentine’s Day might make you question your worth. You might start believing that you are single because you are not attractive, interesting, or lovable enough. If you find yourself feeling inadequate, unloved, or hopeless about your romantic future, it’s a sign that Valentine’s Day is negatively affecting your self-esteem.

You start hating couples

While it's normal to feel jealous, all-out anger and rage are completely uncalled for. Making snide comments about couples or rolling your eyes at every public display of affection suggests that your bitterness has gotten the better of you.

You hide your true feelings by acting normal

Some people react to being single on Valentine’s Day by pretending they don’t care at all. They might loudly proclaim that the holiday is stupid, pointless, or just a capitalist gimmick. While there is nothing wrong with not celebrating, excessive negativity could be a defence mechanism to mask feelings of loneliness or rejection.

You feel depressed

If the thought of Valentine’s Day fills you with sadness, it might be a sign that loneliness is creeping in. Feeling down, staying in bed all day, avoiding social interactions, or losing interest in activities you usually enjoy are warning signs of emotional distress. If you’re actively avoiding people because of your mood and your sadness lingers beyond 14 February, it may be a sign that the pressure of Valentine’s Day is getting to you.

You romanticise the past

When loneliness sets in, it's easy to start looking back at past relationships. If you find yourself missing an ex or thinking about rekindling an old flame simply because you don’t want to be alone, it’s likely a sign that Valentine’s Day is making you feel more vulnerable than usual. Be careful not to make impulsive decisions based on temporary emotions.

You feel the need to ‘fix’ your singleness

With Valentine’s Day everywhere, you might suddenly feel an urgent need to be in a relationship. You may start swiping endlessly on dating apps or consider settling for someone just to avoid being alone. This desperation stems from external pressures rather than genuine connections, which can lead to unhealthy decisions.

You find yourself overindulging

Some people cope with difficult emotions by turning to food, alcohol, or excessive shopping. If you notice yourself binge-eating chocolates, drinking excessively, or making impulsive purchases to distract yourself, it might be a way of numbing the loneliness that Valentine’s Day has triggered.

While it’s completely valid to feel sad or frustrated about being single on Valentine’s Day, it’s important to remember that this feeling is temporary. Your relationship status does not define your worth. Instead of focusing on what you lack, shift your perspective and practise self-love. Use this time to pamper yourself, connect with friends, or pick up a new hobby. Love comes in many forms—not just romantic relationships.

Your time will come, and when it does, you will appreciate it even more because you have learned to be happy on your own. Until then, embrace your journey and remember that love, in all its forms, is always worth celebrating.

Lead image: Netflix

Also read: How to be happy for couples when you hate being single

Also read: Here's why some people fear commitment despite being in love