Being single is not easy, especially if you’re on the wrong side of 30; if you have a battalion of mama-mamis actively seeking out a partner for you (even one pesky aunt with prying eyes is enough to ruin it). Being single is also especially tough if St Valentine’s Day is round the corner. Yet, there’s much to be relieved about, even if in the privacy of your own thoughts. Here’s a dose of positive thinking for all singles to see us through this nauseating ‘season of love’. The reasons are in no particular order.
1. Let’s admit it. Being in love is an expensive affair. But when you’re single, there’s no compulsion to spend effort and money buying a gift for ‘someone you love’. Spend that money, instead, on treating yourself to a good book or a spa treatment, whichever you prefer.
2. There’s no pressure to party on February 14 and, therefore, no need to go shopping to buy party-wear, or go through the hassle of making reservations and the panic of ‘making it perfect’.
3. You won’t go through post-Valentine’s day blues, if there is such a thing at all. I’m guessing that if this ‘season of love’ is being given the importance of a national festival, then there must be ripple effects of ‘the day got over too soon’.
4. Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year. If you’re college-going, or these days even school-going, your parents will keep an extra eye on you lest you go out for the all-important date on this day. Singles neither have to lie nor stealthily tiptoe their way out.
5. You won’t be caught buying a heart-shaped greeting card or a bouquet of red roses to profess your love. And, therefore, you are under no threat of the violent variety of anti-Valentine’s Day activists.
6. Over the years, the anti-Valentine has become quite the movement to be associated with. If taking a contrarian viewpoint is your thing, then send out anti-Valentine cards. There are some very humorous ones out there. But there’s the fear that you might get noticed by the Sri Rama Sene which loves to hate love, and be made their next anti-Valentine ambassador.
7. Finally, I’d like to borrow this one from Khushwant Singh who, while writing about the joys of being single said that on top of his list is the “freedom to fart without being embarrassed”. This is true, no doubt, for singles anytime, anywhere.
So, here’s to singles everywhere. Take the day in your stride.
Sumaa Tekur is an editor with DNA
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