How EVERYONE can have a Happy Hallmark Holiday.
Who are those brilliant marketing executives who decided they could make us single people miserable? For the past 9 years I have spent the two weeks leading up to the fateful Feb 14 date dreaming of other places I could be. Just don’t want to face another Valentines Day SINGLE. Aww for gawd sakes, it’s time to get over it already. I have mastered the going to wedding with no +1. I can even enter a roomful of pairs at a party and manage to hold my own in a couplecentric conversation. Why should a silly fabricated holiday, that is truthfully nothing more than a clever marketing ploy to sell diamonds, flowers and greetings cards, hold me back from my perpetual happy.
With that in mind single people rejoice! You are not being conned or cajoled into purchasing anything. Instead consider Valentines to be your solo mio 24 hour window of personal pleasure. It is your take no prisoners, make no compromises, commitments be damned joyous day. You are tethered to no one.
Here are some anti-Valentine day indulgences I would like you to consider.
1. It’s a day of vast opportunities. You can pick and choose to spend your valentines with anyone you want and maybe even several anyone’s you want. You have no obligation to any one person.
2. One is NOT the loneliest number! Being single is not a reflection of your “lovability” it’s a personal preference. If you wanted to spend Valentines with a significant other you could, you simply choose to leave your options open.
3. Love yourself first. Self indulge with reckless abandon. You are in the enviable position of having no one to answer to and no one to cater to but you. Get a massage, try a new facial, or do a mani, pedi AND a bikini wax. Anything you wouldn’t normally treat yourself to – just do! The cash you are not spending on someone else is strictly for your enjoyment.
4. If you just lost a loved one or went through a recent break up go easy on yourself. It’s okay to feel the loss, but then you also have to promise to balance it with the bliss. Keep in mind that the future holds abundant possibilities.
5. Feeling amorous. Sign up now for any one of the bazillion on-line dating sites. There is literally one that caters to every interest and they usually offer a 30-day free trial. There are lots of other singles just like you looking for love. If you sign up today you could have a date by Valentines Day.
6. Get excited about reconnection. Take some time to surf facebook, Linked-in or one of the other social networking sites to find old friends and flames – you never know what might develop.
7. Most importantly celebrate the loves you do have in your life. Spend the day with family and friends.



I just love reading your newsletters, Ms. Zane. Somehow, they just “speak to me” almost as if you know me, or vice versa…
very truly yours,
single in L.B.