Pavlikeni, BULGARIA – Are you tired of receiving the same old chocolates, teddy bears, and flowers for Valentine’s Day? Unsure about how to reject somebody, what solo activities to do, or how to write a love letter? Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered!
First things first – don’t let your creativity go to waste like a white crayon.
If you’re sticking to traditions, at least give them a twist. How? If you want to charm a cooking enthusiast, swap out roses for a fresh herb bouquet and whip up a spicy, romantic meal together.
Or craft a DIY newspaper filled with your favorite photos and memories.
And, of course, nothing beats the timeless classic of curling up under the covers for a rom-com marathon on Netflix until 3 a.m.
How to bid farewell
As a platinum-certified expert in rejecting people, let me give you some advice: delete “friendzone” from your vocabulary.
More often than not, they think you’re playing hard to get. Trust me – even after I saved a guy’s Instagram nickname as “my dear friend,” he just tried even harder.
Forget about staying friends unless they’ve moved on, and it ended on good terms.
Don’t beat around the bush. Be brutally honest: “I don’t like you.” No apologies.
You don’t owe anyone a relationship just because you pity them and don’t want to hurt their feelings. Put yours first. If necessary, let yourself move on by going no contact.
How to woo
Not bold enough to confess in person? Love letters are a perfect alternative! But never, and I mean never, confess over text – unless you’re ready for your words to be screenshotted, dissected, and analyzed until the death of the internet.
If you want to remain anonymous, don’t let the mystery drag on for too long.
No one enjoys playing detective just to figure out who likes them. Put your name on it, and for the love of romance, avoid overused clichés.
I once received a message that read, “When two souls meet, nothing can tear them apart, but one of us isn’t a priority.”
That alone should tell you everything. Don’t make it obvious you’ve stalked them online or in person, either.
My guy friend was once told, “I admire how active you are with school initiatives.” That’s a fine line between sweetness and creepiness.
How to celebrate by yourself
Last but not least, to all my single ladies and gentlemen – you have no excuses! You don’t have to spend Valentine’s Day staring at the ceiling.
Sure, couples might seem to be everywhere, but you have an advantage: complete freedom over your plans (and budget).
Go out with friends, explore a new city, buy that book you’ve been eyeing, have a self-care day, or start a journal.
The possibilities are endless! Don’t sit out on the fun just because you’re alone. And if you’re fresh out of a relationship, make a breakup playlist.
If you must, write a letter to your ex with everything left unsaid. Then burn it with old photos and keep them blocked everywhere.
Most importantly, don’t lose yourself in loving others, and have fun!
Kornelia Tomaszewicz is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
