/ CULTURE // 广 告 • 文 化A VALENTINE’S DAYSURVIVAL GUIDEFOR SINGLESBy Camilla FatticcioniFebruary just started, and you probably already feel sick of all those red heart decorations in theshops and the happy couples walking all around the West Lake holding hands? Don’t worry, youare not alone. Here are some tips on how to get through Valentine’s day, no better halves needed.30 redstarhangzhou.com
广 告 • 文 化 // CULTURE /THIS HOLIDAY IS REALLYABOUT SPENDING, NOTFEELINGSWe can start from the legend behind the14th of February, and it does not havea fairytale ending at all. Popular legendholds that the Roman Emperor ClaudiusII executed a priest called Valentine ofTerni on the 14th of February around theyear 278 A.D. What crime did he commit?Valentine continued to perform marriageceremonies for young couples in secretafter Claudius II had outlawed such happyunions to encourage more men to jointhe army. It is said that Valentine evensigned his last farewell note before hewas beheaded, “from your Valentine.”The ultimate sacrifice that inspiredValentine’s Day certainly seems to belacking in the consumer-focused holidaywe celebrate today! This is a day wherethe florists can seem happier than thepeople giving or receiving the flowers.Just remember the people happiestabout this holiday are the one’s makingthe money off the loving couples.21DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP“I am enjoying a relationship with two men,simultaneously: the first is Ben, and theother is Jerry” These comical words fromBridget Jones’ Diary are easy to relate to onValentine’s Day. How many times have youfelt the same? If you feel yourself gettingdepressed as the day approaches, makea conscious decision to be positive andkind to yourself. What makes you special?I’ll bet there are thousands of things thatare great about you! Dedicate your sparetime to your favourite hobbies or activitiesinstead of being sad and sedentaryon the couch. You can pick anothertime to cry in front of some tearjerkermovie, tell yourself this isn’t the day.3TREAT YOURSELFIf you are really bothered by the fact thatno one is buying you flowers or chocolate,don’t despair because you can alwaysbuy something for yourself. Become yourown admirer and spoil yourself on thisday because you are worth it. Even betternews is that unlike the love birds out there,you also don’t have to buy a present forsomeone else. All the better to use thatmoney to treat someone really special:yourself! Shopping is an amazing form oftherapy, and quoting one of my favouritemovies, Confessions of a Shopaholic: “Aman will never love you or treat you aswell as a store. If a man doesn’t fit, youcan’t exchange him seven days laterfor a gorgeous cashmere sweater.”4EVEN IF YOU ARE SINGLE,DON’T GO IT ALONEEven if you spoil yourself on Valentine’sDay, it can be a lonely day no matterhow much you spend. Misery, as theysay, does want company after all. So, asalways, a good friend can be just thething you need to get through the day.My best friend was actually the one whogave me this wonderful idea. She said,“Why don’t we dress up fancy, put onsome makeup, and go out for a dinnertogether on the 14th February together?No man required!” You don’t have tospend Valentine’s evening alone, enjoythe best part of being single and have funwith your friends. The 14th of Februaryis just another day after all; it’s what wedo with it that makes it memorable.5FIND THE TIME TO RELAXOne of the best things to do is to takesome personal time. It is always nice tohave a rest from your busy routine for anice hot bath or a massage. Hangzhou isfull of pleasant places to have a walk ormeditate. Taking care of your wellbeingshould be one of the first things on yourdaily to-do list, and this couldn’t be trueron a day like Valentine’s Day. Celebratethe one person that you absolutelycannot live without: your very own self.6LOVE COMES IN MANY FORMSWho can say that this day when St.Valentine died for bringing people whocared for other people together intendedthis holiday to be reserved for loversin relationships? I know of many formsthat love can take that are just as strongas and just as deep as the fairytale onesdescribed in some romantic novels andmovies. Love is love, and it is all aroundus. Share some love with people aroundyou. Reach out to family like your parentsor siblings, ring up an old friend and catchup, or just stay in and cuddle with a pet.Why not buy your pet a treat and have anight in—they are certainly some of themost faithful partners anyone can ask for!If you are still feeling down justremember, couples get one specialday a year, but single people arecelebrated and sought after the wholeyear round. Happy Valentine’s Day!redstarhangzhou.com 31
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