The subject of loneliness on Valentine’s Day often refers to people without romantic love in their lives. But loneliness can be a problem for those without close friendships as well. The pressure of Valentine’s Day can create unreasonable expectations about what you’re supposed to do in order to fit in with a preconceived norm.

Why Does Loneliness Crop Up on Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day has become a holiday that merchandisers hype quite heavily, and the constant barrage of commercials and various messages seen by folks can add to their loneliness.

Some people feel pressured to make Valentine’s Day a big deal. A recent survey said the average person spends over $130 on Valentine’s Day.

When you see messages about the importance of a certain day, it can make you question your own situation, especially when there is an emphasis on togetherness. Even though Valentine’s Day is about romance, the underlying vibe portrayed is that if you’re all alone, there must be something wrong with you.

Someone who doesn't have a lot of friends but feels okay most of the time can suddenly wonder if they need more friends. Others who already lack close friends might feel like they have failed at friendship during this time.

How Can You Combat Loneliness on Valentine’s Day?

First, put things in perspective. February 14^th really is just one day. There are plenty of people who don’t celebrate the day, including couples happily in love. You just don’t hear about them because the focus is on buying cards, flowers, and other gifts.

Also, if your friends go out and you’re left alone, think of things you can do to nurture your spirit instead.

Treat yourself with a massage, call up a long-distance friend, or look up a new class or hobby to learn. Another option? Just relax and enjoy the solitude to do whatever you feel, like reading, working out, or binge watching your favorite TV show.

Make Plans on Valentine’s Day to Handle Loneliness

If you’re currently without friends right now or just in a bad place, use Valentine’s Day as a prompt to plan out the ways you can meet new people. Don’t try to just meet new friends by accident, because even though it can happen that way you'll have better chance meeting people by trying new activities. Here are fifty ways you can meet a few new people.

For more ways to build a new friendship, check out my online ecourse. If loneliness happens more often than just at Valentine's Day, check out my tips for staving off lonely feelings for good.