Bedsider

5 Reasons to Bat for #teamsingle This Valentine’s Day

Hey, you. Toss the Whitman’s Sampler aside and close that old Facebook album of you and your ex. Ignore the naysayers—batting for #teamsingle isn’t all that bad. One day out of the entire year heightens our awareness, but actually we’re #winning for the remaining 364. Behold, my top 5 reasons why.

1. Love Don’t Cost a Thing

Remember the days when construction paper heart cutouts and a splash of glitter did the V-Day trick? That was in kindergarten. Today, most folks are blinded by bling. The candy, flowers, lavish dinners and other presents adds up quickly. #Teamsingle is lucky—we can pocket that cash and put it to good use! Now excuse me while I log on to Bloomingdale’s website…

2. Sweatpants, Hair Tied, Chillin’ with no Makeup On

I hate to rain on your parade…jk, I love it. According to the Weather Channel, Valentine’s Day will be cold, rainy and snowy for many cities this year. While the taken will be hopping over puddles in their Jeffrey Campbells and Ferragamos, #teamsingle will be at home in slippers and Snuggies. Win.

3. Go to Sleep in Paris, Wake Up In Tokyo

When you don’t have a S.O., there’s the beautiful option of making time in your busy schedule for y-o-u. Use it to your advantage! See a movie you want to see; visit places you want to go. There’s no need to compromise or flip a coin when you’re in a party of one.

4. Thank You for Being a Friend

We all have that one friend who can’t detach themselves from their phone. At group outings, they’re too busy cooing sweet nothings and giggling at cutesy text messages to have a good time. So. Annoying. Being single allows you to be a better listener and pay attention to your pals—your head isn’t filled with thoughts of your S.O. and you’re not doodling your hyphenated name on the margins of the dinner menu.

5. Come Here, Rude Boy

It’s okay to have a roving eye when you’re single, of course. Use your status to your advantage! Have lunch with the quiet cutie in your English class, talk to complete (but safe) strangers on the Metro, and flirt until your eyelashes fall off from batting. Who knows? You may be on the other team next year…if that’s what you’re into.

“Heart in heart” image by tanakawho.

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Khalea Underwood is an intern for the digital media team of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. When she’s not writing, shopping, or listening to music, the Howard University print journalism student moonlights as an older sister, a contributor for MTVIggy.com, and a copy editor for The Hilltop newspaper.