It starts about a week to ten days after the new year. Everywhere you go and look, in stores and on the internet and television, you start to see advertisements with big red hearts, snuggly cute Teddy Bears, a charming little baby shooting romance-laden arrows, boxes of succulent chocolates waiting to be devoured with a significant other.

For weeks after it all gets more intense by the day. By the time the middle of February rolls around, the supposed season of love has permeated all things real and imagined. Love is definitely in the air and everyone is expected to partake.

But, you keep reminding yourself with a gnawing feeling of dread, there's one major problem. You are completely alone!

Except, a recent survey by top selling personal lubricant brand, #LubeLife, suggests you're not alone at all. In fact, 48% of single people who were surveyed plan to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.

The commercial and societal onslaught that is Valentine's Day can be difficult to avoid and resist. But you don't have to feel depressed or flawed because you lack a significant other.  Indeed, with a little imagination and good old fashion get-up-and-go, a Valentine's Day spent without a romantic partner can actually be life changing. And also a lot of fun.

A good place to start for singles to get the most out of Valentine's Day is to try some introspection.

"When Valentine's Day approaches, we all start looking for signs of love outside of ourselves-chocolate, cards, phone calls, flowers, gifts or other sweet sentiments," said fitness and life coach Caroline Jordan. "Yet it's important to remember that happiness is not really determined by the external world, but by the world found inside of you. Love is an inside job-and the irony of it is, in order to receive it, we have to already have it within."

So with a little self-love as our foundation, here are some easy ideas to help you parry the commercialized onslaught of Valentines Day and make it day to better yourself, and the world. Even if deep down you still desire to find a life-partner, many of these tips can actually increase your chances of success down the road.

Volunteer

Doing something for others, especially those in need, can be one of the most profound and life changing experiences a person can do. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, help deliver meals to the elderly, ask your local animal shelter if they need any help. There is a lot of need in our society, especially with the pandemic having turned people's lives upside down over the last two years. Not only will you be helping others in need, you will surely meet new people in the process.

"One of the quickest ways to cultivate positive feelings is by doing something nice for someone else," said Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby, director of Growing Self Counseling & Life Coaching. "Set aside some money or time for generosity toward others on Valentine's Day. Think about who in your circle is lonely, and how you can show them love. Get creative about how you can brighten someone else's day."

Do something you've always wanted to do but haven't done yet

Valentine's Day as a single is the perfect opportunity to explore those long suppressed interests and let them carry you out into a brand new world. Take a painting or drawing class, where you are sure to meet new people. Take Tango or other dance lessons where you will be paired with strangers on the dance floor.  If the pandemic still has you unsure about venturing out in public, take an online cooking class or sign up for language lessons.  Seek to better yourself, and surely the world will follow.

Pamper yourself like it's nobody's business

Look good, feel good. Treat yourself to a new wardrobe. You don't need to spend a fortune either. Thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army are brimming with super cool items. But if you've got the cash to go big, even better.

Make an appointment at a local spa and let the stress of daily life melt away. Don't want to go out? There's plenty of ways to prepare a DIY spa at home. Pour yourself a glass of wine, light a scented candle, throw on your favorite playlist and treat yourself like royalty with a cleansing mask and a bubble bath.

Afterwards put on your favorite PJ's and nestle under the covers while binge watching your favorite streaming show. By the time you reach season 3, Valentines Day will be over and you'll feel like a million dollars.

Organize a Pal-entines party

Despite what your social media feed is telling you, not everyone is experiencing blissful romance on Valentines Day. Gather up your single friends and have a party, reveling in your independence. If your group heads to a bar or nightclub, you can be sure that many others there are single as well. That's a golden opportunity to meet some new friends.   

Revel in what other prominent singles have to say

Try Googling 'quotes about the beauty of being single' to remind yourself what others have said about this wonderful state of being. Here are some of our favorites that will help make your Valentine's Day as a single, a day to remember for all the right reasons.

●      "Being brave enough to be alone frees you up to invite people into your life because you want them and not because you need them." - Mandy Hale

●      "I think it's very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not defined by another person." - Oscar Wilde

●      "It takes a strong person to remain single in a world that is accustomed to settling with anything just to say they have something." - Anonymous

●      "I love being single. I can come and go as I please and stay out as late as I want to." - Eric Dickerson

●       "I don't need a man to rectify my existence. The most profound relationship we'll ever have is the one with ourselves." -Shirley MacLaine

●      "I like being single - I'm always there when I need me." - Art Leo