I dated myself this Valentine’s Day

It was the best date I’ve ever been on


Who was your Valentine this year? Was it your significant other? Your best friend? Your pet? Or was it someone who doesn’t know you exist? Or did you just completely boycott the season of love because you recognise it as the consumerist bullshit it truly is? Either way, I bet your day wasn’t as good as mine.

Me, myself, and I ready for the big V day

Because I dated myself, all day long.

10am: Wake up call from a love song 

As the opening wails of Bump ‘N’ Grind came from my alarm, I woke with a smile on my face. An entire day, just for me. I took my time getting up as there ain’t no rushing love. After opening a Valentine’s card from a mysterious admirer, I managed to guess that it was one from the parents because of the £20 note that slipped out (and they say money can’t buy love). By the time I emerged from the flat it was 1pm and I was looking fierce, ready for a wonderful day.

Thanks mum x

1:30pm: Cup (of love)

My original plan was to hit TriBeCa, but as I walked past it was full to the brim of young couples who literally looked the exact same as one another. Rather than be stared out by clones all afternoon, I decided to take a gander up Byres Road to Cup. There was a perfect table upstairs by the balcony just for me, so I’m assuming destiny had something to do with it. I spent a good two hours in Cup, reading, browsing the internet and listening to the love song playlist the cafe provided (note: when in doubt, play Westlife or Ronan Keating). I got through a white chocolate hot chocolate, a plate of pancakes with bacon and syrup (do it), a pot of tea and an over-priced cupcake which was sixty percent icing.

100 per cent worth every calorie

2:30pm: Waterstones

I feel like there’s nothing better than falling in love with a new book: the choosing, the buying, the reading and the cherishing forever because you simply cannot bear to get rid of it. A love affair for the ages, if you will. I was really hoping as it was Valentine’s Day that I might meet “the one” in that book shop and he would buy me the hardback fancy edition of Pride and Prejudice that I’d been eyeing up for ten minutes but he never appeared. So instead I bought a book I didn’t need about self-control (almost as ironic as Roosh V feeling endangered) and made the journey down Byres Road home.

4pm: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

After picking up some juice and candy floss on the way home, I decided to sit down for an afternoon movie. I’d narrowed it down to either Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Valentine’s Day. Now, I love Taylor Swift, truly, but I’d rather just listen to her songs c.2010 than put myself through that film again. After my candy floss and tears of joy, I got ready for my evening activities and headed out once more.

Ready for movies

As I strutted down Ashton Lane, I noticed it was a lot quieter than I expected. It appears Sunday really had taken its toll on what people would do for love, and Ashton Lane was not one of them. That made sitting at the bar in The Lane by myself a little less awkward. I honestly loved it, but that might be the cocktails speaking. After two, I checked the time and wandered through to the cinema to pick up my ticket for How To Be Single, some M&Ms and a cornetto (treat yo’ self).

The cinema was filled with more girls on Galentine’s dates than actual couples, which made me feel a lot more judged as I sat in the front row alone. Thankfully the film was hilarious and distracted me from this, as I began making plans to become Rebel Wilson. The film ended, as did my date with myself. Well…almost.

I proceeded to go home, wear the nice underwear I would have worn had I had company, ate a bunch of chocolate and watched half of 50 Shades of Grey before completely crashing out from boredom. JUST SIGN THE CONTRACT ANA.

Being alone on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to hate it

Valentine’s Day alone was the best one I’ve had. There are no expectations or disappointments. You get to go for coffee alone, buy a new book, watch a film in the afternoon, drink unfamiliar cocktails and enjoy it because you’re doing it just for you. Having someone to love for a one special day is great, but we are often told we should love them just as much all year round. But when are we told to love ourselves?