Valentine’s Day has come and gone yet again, and with it, millions of single people all over the world have felt pangs of loneliness, of fear, sadness, and of course, Valentine Blues.

Valentine’s Day may be perfect for couples, but it leaves those of us who are single out in the cold, and can dredge up feelings of sadness and inadequacy in many who struggle to form lasting relationships.

But that doesn’t have to be the case. Being single isn’t a bad thing. Focusing on the positives of being single can help you deal with loneliness – whether caused by Valentine’s Day, or any other holiday or event that reminds you that you aren’t in a relationship.

So in this article, we’ll take a look at four easy ways you can avoid feelings of loneliness when you’re single.

Focus On The Positives

This is one of the easiest ways to deal with loneliness brought about from being single. Focus on the positives of being single! Believe it or not, there are plenty. You can:

• Make your own schedule
• Do whatever you want
• Meet interesting new people
• Flirt with whoever you want
• Travel
• Put yourself first

There are plenty of advantages to being single. It’s not all bad – so think about what you like about being single, as compared to being in a relationship.

Don’t Overthink It

Have you ever found yourself in a spiral of sadness because you’ve realized that you’re single? You’ve thought about it – it’s been two years since your last relationship! What if you’re alone forever! You’re running out of time!

This is one of the worst things you can do to yourself when you’re single. Don’t overthink your situation! You’re single today, so what? Maybe you won’t be next week, next month, or next year! You never know what can happen, so why stress out about being single now?

Overthinking your situation can be very harmful to your mental health, and leads to feelings of loneliness. So when you find yourself thinking about being single, break the cycle – and think about something positive instead!

Put Yourself Out There

If you’re truly looking for a relationship, you should actively pursue finding the right person. That way, you know that you’re making progress! Even if you’re not meeting the right person for you right away, you’re working towards a relationship sometime in the future that’s going to be fantastic.

It’s like working out. Running a half-mile is better than sitting on the couch, and going on a coffee date with a cute coworker is better than sitting in your bed thinking about how lonely you are – even if nothing comes of the date.

Find Others Like You

This is an excellent way to avoid loneliness – and potentially pursue a new romantic relationship. Despite the old adage, “Opposites attract”, participating in group activities with others who have similar interests is a fantastic way to potentially meet someone new who might become special to you.

So if you like hiking, find a hiking club! If you like biking, join a cycling club! Even if you don’t find a romantic interest, you’ll meet new, friendly people who can help you enjoy being single.

Connect With Others Like You – On Supportiv

As Martha Black said, “Loneliness is proof that your innate search for connection is intact.”

Loneliness isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it’s a sign that you’re still searching for someone to connect to, and it’s a natural part of life.

Supportiv is a great way to connect with people who are like you – people who may be single and lonely, and looking for someone to talk to.

By connecting you with people who feel like you do, Supportiv gives you the opportunity to express your feelings anonymously – to a person who understand what you’re going through, and can give you advice, wisdom, and empathy.

So if you’re feeling lonely, try following the steps above – and joining Supportiv to meet others who may want to talk about their feelings.