Here's How to Make the Most Out of V-Day as a Single Guy Living Your Best Life
AskMen Editors
January 12, 2024
Valentine's Day can be stressful for guys. There's a lot of pressure to find your significant other a great gift, something romantic and/or touching, plus plan a fun evening together. And figuring out how extravagant that gift should be, or how romantic and intimate that evening out should be, isn't easy and typically depends on the length of the relationship.But it'salsostressful for single guys, who have to watch from the sidelines as couples everywhere have a good time.
There's no shame at all in being single on V-Day, but thereisshame in wallowing in your singleness. Sure, youcouldspend the evening inside re-watching your favorite action movie with a bag of Doritos, or playing hours of your favorite computer game (also probably with a bag of Doritos), but we're here to bring your best self out, and that meanscelebratingthe fact that you're single rather than bemoaning it.
That's right: we're giving you permission to spend on yourself, book yourself a day out, even pamper yourself.
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There's no shortage of fun, self-celebrating things you could do on February 14th, but to help spur your imagination. we've picked out 15 of our favorite ways to "treat yo'self." Have at it!
15 Different Things to Do When You're By Yourself on Valentine's Day
Take aSpa Day
More and more men are going to spas every year. Women have been enjoying the facial and massage way of life for years, solo or with friends, so why shouldn't you pamper yourself in the most luxurious way possible? Look for a spa that offers not only massages but steam rooms, saunas and even cold plunges, and you can extend your stay after the massage, turning your trip into a mini wellness vacation.
Breakfast in Bed
What could be better than resting in bed while chowing down on breakfast? Whether it’s cooking up your favorite pancakes or calling your favorite local eatery for a decadent, delicious brunch of your choosing, take the time to stay cozy under the covers before, after, and most importantly, during your most important meal of the day.
See a Movie
Contrary to popular belief, there's absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a movie by yourself. Pick a movieyouwant to see, find the ideal seats, and thentake the extra cash you would have spent on a second ticket to splurge on your favorite movie theater treats.
Take a Cooking Class
Learning to cook is one of the best skills a man can possess, making it easier to save money, improve your health and impress friends and romantic partners, sowhy not take those amateurskills you’ve been working on to the next level in 2024by taking a cooking class?
In the past, this option was limited to men who lived in cities, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, there are nowan endless array of online chefswilling to show you how to cook (we highly recommend the fun and engaging skills of New York Times’ author Alison Roman) via recorded lessons,or there are sophisticated MasterClass courses designed for your specific level of expertise.
Order In
If all of that cooking seems like the exact opposite of what treating yourself on Valentine’s Day should be, screw it. Find your favorite local restaurant, whether it's sushi or pizza or something fancy, and design your perfect menu. Because February 14th is a high-volume day for restaurants, we especially encourage you to schedule your order in advance, to avoid any delays.
Get Out of Town
If you're stuck in a rut and tired of the same old, same old,this might be a perfect time to book yourself a mini trip. You can do an overnighter if you're really pressed for time, but we recommend taking a full weekend to leave your ordinary life behind. You might choose to go camping or you might want to head to the nearest hotel-and-casino to try your luck at the tables. Have it your way, baby.
Work Out With the Boys
Pampering yourself doesn'thaveto mean eating and lounging. In fact, few things will make you feel as good after the fact as a vigorous workout. You can do this solo, of course, but we recommend calling up your friends or training buddies and tackling a group workout together. This could meanhitting up your local CrossFit gym or finding an experienced personal trainer to take you through an exhausting routine or even just doing a spin class.Whatever you do, we recommend you steer clear of your usual workout routine:if you normally lift weights, find a calisthenics option, and if you normally prefer to do cardio, get out of your comfort zone and lift some weights.
Drink the Good Stuff
If you love a quality drink but find yourself going for the well liquor or the house wine, use Valentine’s Day as your opportunity to crack open the Reserve. Good scotch and cigars, small batch beer and pizza, or red wine and red meat — any one of these could be well worth the risk of a hangover in the morning.
Splurge on Something Special
Single or not, there are some gifts you just want to get for yourself. It could be a made-to-measure suit, a luxury travel bag — hell, it could even be a car. Whatever it is, make Valentine’s Day the day you take the plunge and invest in whatever it is you want — within reason. You only live once, and if we had to guess, you are going to end up happy with your decision.
Pamper Your Pet
Let’s be real here, sometimes a pet is the best Valentine a man could ask for. Take advantage of the day meant for your true love by pampering yours with a bubble bath, a blow out, and a bunch of play time. In recent years, almost 20 percent of all Valentine’s Day spending went toward a significant other of the furry persuasion. If you need some pet-friendly ideas, we have plenty of those too.
Go on an Adventure
Working out is definitely fun but you can combine the physical aspect of the gym with an adventure component if you opt to go kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, sailing, etc. You'll get all the endorphin-based goodness of a gym session while also getting out of your routine and into the unexpected— sounds like a win-win to us.
Turn Off Your Phone (Not Just to Vibrate)
This one may be easier said than done. Most of us remember a time when cell phones were there for our convenience instead of being the ones that called all the shots. Take the time to walk outside and hear the sounds of nature, find a new book, or dig out one you love and read it again, or start that meditating you’ve heard so much about. One study published by the Harvard Business Review states that just having your phone nearby can affect your brain in negative ways. Who knows? Valentine’s Day may be the start of a mind-altering tradition for the better.
Catch Up on Sleep
No one gets enough sleep. Ever. If pomp and circ*mstance typically associated with Valentine's Day is a big turnoff, then why not just sleep? Turn off the TV, put away the snacks, and call it a night at an absurdly early hour. It sounds good already, doesn’t it?
Rent an ExoticCar
Owning a high-end vehicle like a Ferrari or Lamborghini is absurdly expensive. It's not just the sticker price, which is exorbitant, or the cost of filling up the tank, which is eye-popping; it's mundane things like the monthly insurance premiums or the high cost of repairs. So what's a car lover to do? Rent one, for a day. It's surprisingly affordable, depending on the make and model and where you live, and we guarantee that revving that beauty up at a red light will put a smile on your face, girlfriend or no girlfriend.
Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
You may be single, but that doesn't mean you can't experience some culture or expand your horizons. Wherever you live, we bet you're within driving distance of a natural history or art museum or gallery or some cultural equivalent, and we bet you've ignored this fact for years. Well, now is the time to expand your horizons. You can book a guided tour, if you want to really be informed, but we also recommend you take your time perusing the exhibits, reading about each display or work of art, and letting yourself get lost in the whole experience.
Valentine’s Day can be a drag when you're single, but it doesn't have to be. You are ultimately responsible for your mood, so switch up the script on yourself and choose to do something awesome this February 14th. We guarantee you'll be grateful you did, not only the next day but the next year.
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