Whether you're an old-hand or a first-timer, being single on V-Day can be a pretty rough experience.
It only takes a couple of rose bouquet Instagrams to send a normally self-assured woman into a craze of rent calculations (yes, your room would be less if you had a partner) and angry letter writing (since when did Max Brenner only sell a fondue for two?).
Despite this, February 15 will come and go, and you will still be in tact. But, to get through it all, here are some tips for making Sunday bearable:
1. Have a single ladies night
Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope celebrated Galentine's Day with a girly brunch (and a bouquet of hand-crocheted flower pens) on February 13, but if you and your fellow single friends are free the next day, eHarmony relationship expert Melanie Schilling says there's no reason why you can't celebrate on Valentine's itself.
"You can make it such a fun, light-hearted occasion about what's great about you and your friends," Schilling says, and, even though there might be lots of couples at the bar, that doesn't mean you need to be "crying into your pretzels".
"You can be drinking to the future, even if you would like a relationship in that future, without throwing a pity party."
2. Gloat about how much money (and stress) you've saved by not needing to spend Saturday frantically buying aftershave and cufflinks
Fun financial fact: according to a survey by cashless app maker Clipp.co, 62 per cent of Australians plan on spending up to $200 on Valentine's crap this year. Suncorp Bank has a slightly milder prediction (a $53 average spend for men and $40 for women).
Independent women, save those dollars to buy the shoes on your feet, the clothes you're wearing, the rock you're rocking; you depend on you etc.
3. If you're upset, think about why
It's not uncommon to feel a bit glum as a single person on Valentine's Day, particularly if you've recently come out of a relationship.
"I think it's a good sign because, if you are, that's your emotional self telling you that you're ready to find a relationship," Schilling says.
"Maybe you're jealous of the couples, or a bit envious of everyone in love, and that's a good sign because it can show that you're ready to make some changes."
4. Be grateful V-Day falls on a Sunday this year
No performative office deliveries of flowers! Hooray!
5. Remember that "love" doesn't need to be directed towards a significant other
Stop thinking about your single self, and do something good for others. Valentine's Day is as good a day as any to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or make a donation to your favourite charity.
While you're at it, why not take part in everydayhero's Valentine's Day campaign? The online fundraising platform is encouraging people to take a photo of themselves making a heart shape with their hands using the hashtag #ilovebeCAUSE and an explanation of why they are inspired by the work a certain charity for a chance to win $1000 for their charity of choice.
6. Don't sign up to a dating website... or maybe do? The jury's out
There are mixed reports on how fruitful spending Valentine's sitting in front of a screen, searching for someone to spend February 14, 2017 will be.
According to eHarmony, interest in online dating peaks on Valentine's Day, with interest growing year on year.
But, over at Zoosk, the registrations peak two weeks after Valentine's Day, with a 16 per cent spike. "Valentine's Day is actually the worst day to meet someone online," says licensed couples therapist Dr Mike Dow. "In fact you'll have far better luck two weeks later."
7. Whatever you do, don't schedule a first date
Whether you decide to try your luck swiping or matching into the night on V-Day, the expert advice on trying to schedule a first date on Sunday is pretty clear: don't.
"It's a lot of pressure on a date, especially a first date," Schilling says.
If that doesn't dissuade you, consider the awkward conversation you will have when that eccentric old man tries to make someone you've known for 40 minutes buy you an overpriced rose. Avoid.
8. And, for that matter, be quite happy not doing anything
Nick Jonas (AKA the cool Jonas AKA a member of the 66.66 per cent of Jonas Brothers who are not married with a kid) had a few choice words for the festival of chocolate and tiny lingerie (AKA the festival of incongruity).
"It's right before the Grammys," Jonas told E! News last week. "There's a lot of stuff happening in L.A., so I've gotta concentrate."
Repeat after me: "There's a lot of stuff happening in L.A., so I've gotta concentrate." Sounds a bit better than, "I'm spending the night crying into a tub of Ben & Jerry's and catching up on laundry", doesn't it?
