If you're single by choice couples don't worry you. You're happy to walk into a restaurant or movie theater by yourself. You have no problem sitting alone eating your lunch or drinking your skinny latte. But if there's one day of the year when even those who aren't interested in being in a relationship feel forgotten by the rest of the world, it's Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is the commercialized merchandizing markets dream day. It's a day when they get to sell a whole bunch of stuff and so they make sure that everyone knows how many days there is until the big day, and what you "must buy" the sweetheart in your life -- there's so much hype that there are very few people involved in a relationship who don't make an effort on the day itself.

For the single person in the office, or group, this is like Santa arriving for everyone else but forgetting them! The fact that they don't really want a partner isn't the issue; the issue is that they are excluded from the celebration simply because they are alone.

It's even worse for those who are looking for a partner but haven't found one, or worse still, have just broken up with their partner. They remember past Valentine's Days with their ex(s) when flowers were delivered and tables booked at fancy restaurants. They look wistfully at the bouquets arriving for co-workers and wonder if next year it'll be their turn. If there was ever a day to stay at home and shut off from all media, it's Valentine's Day when you don't want to be single!

If you're single on Valentine's Day it's easy to feel very isolated, especially if most of your friends are hooked up with a partner. They'll all be talking about their plans, and hopes for the evening, and either oblivious to the fact you're going to be left on your own, or making a big deal about it not being a big deal and who cares about Valentine's Day anyway! Either way, you feel the odd one out.

It doesn't have to be this way however, there are many single people in the world, and probably in your area. Get together a group of single people at work and arrange a night out on Valentine's Day. This way you won't be left sitting at home because of the restaurants being full of pre-booked couples, and you'll also have a great time.

If you don't want to go out with others because you don't feel like celebrating -- especially if you've recently broken up with a partner -- then remember that Valentine's Day is not just about romance, it's about love, and showing that you care about someone.

Be your own Valentine! No, you don't need to buy a card and send it to yourself, but rather you treat yourself to something nice, perhaps some expensive bubble bath, or a vintage bottle of wine, and enjoy some personal downtime. Valentine's Day is a day when singles can feel more single than they do other days, but there's no need for them to not feel special. If you're alone next Valentine's Day, have a day of self-indulgence and you'll not have time to feel left out of the romantic celebrations going on around you.