Did someone use the V-word? Valentine’s Day is done. Over. Kaput. It’s worked to death. It’s a commercial joke, that doesn’t even work commercially anymore. Okay, maybe it does, but only because the cultural colonialists have successfully marketed it back to Asia. All the cheap token gifts and unnecessary boxes of chocolates that you receive? That’s right. It’s a marketed idea, and you’re clever for not buying into it. We’re making the cheap teddies that the Trumps of the world are sending back to our countries to buy. Okay, maybe not us, mostly the Chinese and the Bangladeshis. We tried for a bit, but we aren’t cost-effective, plus the bureaucratic hassles make direct funding difficult in India. Besides the point. Valentines’ Day is over, Valentine’s movies are over, we will not have any of this consumerist propaganda, and social pressure to be a couple before February. If, like me, you too believe that smug love wrapped in red is so last season, here’s what you and your fabulous single self can do instead. Five ways of fun for one.

Take a break Burning Man. Tomorrowland. These words ring a bell? The wave of music festivals, from trashy to avant garde, (depending upon how you like your music) awaits your drugged, sorry dogged, presence. While the Indian music festival season is over for a few months, take a trip down to Alsisar Mahal for the Magnetic Fields festival later this year, or the Escape festival. Pro tip: At the Escape festival, they let you camp on-site, in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley, Jammu and Kashmir.

Treks are your thing? Trek all around Europe (The Camino de Santiago route in Spain is among our favourites). Travel first class and then do some glamping (glamorous camping, a word you should know by now) in the British Virgin Island. Caribbean Islands aren’t closed to the idea of singles either, and there is plenty to be done on your own. There is always the possibility of meeting someone interesting as well, if you’re in the mood. There are many broken-hearted and ready-to-rebound after the big day, surveys tell us. So keep your eyes open and your diary free during cocktail hour.

Gift of time For everything else, there is Amex, (exclusively for your use). What couples, especially the ones with kids, will tell you, is that they never have any time for themselves. Since you are the sole master of all your free time (unless you’re dating your job, in which case we will save this for later), how about gifting yourself those piano lessons you always wanted, or picking up on squash lessons? It needn’t be a life skill, even. Always wanted a pet? Well, there’s no one you need to consult here. A library. A garden. The possibilities are endless.

Flights of fancy While the Duchess of Cambridge and Victoria Beckham are all jet-setting around the world in private helicopters, there is no reason you cannot afford an indulgence on a whim. Go fly that helicopter all over London city, from up there, life’s hundred problems are going to seem tiny as you soar over clouds. Or fly over the familiar landmarks of New York. And if flying really is your thing, choose from the thousands of hot air balloon rides all around the world. Imagine how hard that would be with a partner prone to motion sickness.

Get your (own) room Buy a house at a location of your choice, if you’re single and have put aside some money. Just because you don’t have kids to mess up the house doesn’t mean you share apartments with near strangers . Even if you have plans of settling down later, it is prudent to invest early in a place.

Dating it all You know what couples can’t do? Work the dating market. And the dating market is blowing up right now. If a few soppy experiences have thrown you off, perhaps it is time to review your selection techniques more carefully and tune them to what you want. Which brings us to the question, do you really know what you want? If this is making you contemplate the hedonistic consumerism-fuelled existence you may be hurtling deeper into, where dates can be shopped/shipped online, it would perhaps be a correct summation. Avoid deep inner voices telling you to go out into the real world. The real world is overrated. And may we suggest a bottle of Dalmore single malt (try and get hold of the gold end-of-the-year edition for maximum pleasure) instead?

What luxury do singles have that couples don’t? (An uninterrupted inheritance, a breezy life insurance policy and more peace). Okay joking, but Happy Anti-Valentines Day to you lovely post-Valentine folks. Let’s spread some of those commitment issues around.

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