Two types of people celebrate Valentine’s Day. First, adorable, yet nauseating, couples will go on a date straight out of a Pinterest board, planned out to every last detail.

Secondly, people like myself will spend February 14 watching episodes of “Friends” on Netflix, recovering from an ice cream induced coma while wondering if they are forced to spend the remainder of their sad lives with only their 20 cats to keep them company.

Of course, I’m kidding. I mean, that’s absurd. I’m allergic to cats.

But in all seriousness, this sort of self pity over a single day is unnecessary. Since when is a boyfriend or a girlfriend the only person capable of showing acts of love? Mothers, fathers, grandparents and friends who show love and are shown love in return are often overlooked on Valentine’s Day. The romanticized idea of this holiday overpowers the aspect of companionship, a vital aspect in any loving relationship.

Also, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to simply show love for humanity. Kind words and random acts of kindness are great ways to not only show compassion, but also to start a chain reaction within communities, spreading the positive message Valentine’s Day is all about.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that spending time with a boyfriend or girlfriend is a terrible way to spend the holiday. In fact, if a significant other truly makes a person happy, a nice date may be the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day. I’m just saying happiness is not dependent on a romantic relationship.

Finally, why not take Valentine’s Day as a chance to show yourself a little love? Do something which makes you happy, and, for most, sitting on the couch and crying about a lack of a partner isn’t going to fix anything (and, let’s be honest, why be sad about being single on this particular day of the year and not the other 364?)

In the long run, if you want to spend Valentine’s Day sulking in your own self sorrow, no one is stopping you. But, at the very least, look at the bright side: come February 15, candy prices will be SUPER cheap.