All our lives we've been taught that on Feb. 14 unless you are actively en-route to “the one”, any activities done on said day as a single entity might as well be accompanied by a sad, sad song by a tiny, tiny violin. How dare you leave the house sans partner and disrupt the ways of the world which have been set up to accommodate the power of two and only two? The only plausible solution is to cover the blinds and hide inside your home until the clock strikes midnight, which is when you can finally exhale that long awaited sigh of relief for you have survived. Au contraire my friend, au contraire. Like a game of Frogger, with the right moves you can hop and zip right past the traffic (or people) and capitalize on this day meant for pairs. Here are some ideas to take advantage of while being single on Valentine's Day.

Catch a movie

It may seem counterintuitive to be in the same room (for roughly an hour and a half) and taking part in the same outing as a sea full of couples, but catching a movie on Valentine's Day does have some benefits. When choosing a seat in the theatre, people tend to avoid sitting right beside strangers and opt for a space in between. If the laws of seating are correct, this should give you an empty side on both your left and right and the odds of another singleton coming in and sitting between two unknown parties is slim, leaving you the most room you'll ever have in a theatre. If the idea of going to a movie alone is daunting, use this opportunity as a way to challenge yourself and face your fears.

Go workout

Since everyone is out on their date or in the process of getting ready, gyms will be considerably less busy giving you ample opportunity to work out without restrictions. Nothing is worse than trying to do laps in a busy pool or waiting endlessly for a certain machine due to constant use. There is a probable chance that going to the gym on Valentine's Day will allow for a smoother workout as there will be less people and more equipment/services available. Working out also releases dopamine (a chemical that plays a part in feeling happiness) into your brain leaving you feeling great afterwards if Valentine's Day tends to bring you down.

Go babysit

For the busy working family, Valentine's Day is the one marked day out of the calendar year where it is generally unspoken, but acknowledged that some type of outing will occur. On this very day, many parents will be scouring the city for babysitters so their pre-booked reservation or theatre tickets will not go to waste. Be the hero and offer your babysitting services onto the world. Chances are, you'll secure yourself some extra funds for the gig that can go towards discounted Valentine's chocolates the next day.

Love yourself

Valentine's Day is about showing your partner how much they are appreciated, but how often do we take time to appreciate ourselves? Turn off your phone and give into your indulgence, whether that would be a certain food, drink, dessert etc. and pair that with your favourite activity such a TV show, movie, bath etc., for a night all about you and without interruptions from the outside. Additionally, without any interruptions from the outside world, loving yourself doesn't necessarily have to end when the credits roll. In a society that is constantly on the go, taking the time to stop and truly relax can be the solution to the much-needed mental vacation and a sure-fire way to show self-appreciation.