If you didn’t find a Valentine this year, you’re in luck! Right after Valentine’s Day is Singles Awareness Day. A day for those who do not have a significant other can spend hanging out with friends and family. Originally, Single Awareness Day stood for the acronym SAD expressing feelings of isolation. Though, after years of recognition, it changed into something more self-empowering.

It all started with a group of friends back in the early 2000s. Dustin Barnes made plans with his friends to protest against Valentine’s Day. This plan included them spending the day eating discounted chocolate, exchanging gifts, and throwing parties. They carried along with this tradition from High School to Mississippi State University. After gaining popularity, the tradition was legitimately copyrighted in 2005. 

Now, millions of people all around the world now celebrate Single Awareness Day. Each celebration represents different things, while also doing various activities. In Ireland, women are permitted to propose to men, and in Korea, singleness is celebrated with eating bowls of Jajangmyeon.

Here’s how some of our fellow LCHS students spend their day after Valentine’s Day:

• “I didn’t even know there was a Single’s Awareness Day. Just being able to spend quality time with my friends and family on Valentine’s day is way more fun. I definitely think that being single doesn’t matter as long as you got people you love to celebrate it with.” – Tricia Henley
• “Spending my time with friends is really fun.” – Rebecca Herrera-Montes

Anyone can celebrate this day as a reminder that you don’t need a relationship to show love. You’re allowed to give affection to yourself and anyone around you. Single Awareness Day encourages people to express self-love and freedom. Take your time to celebrate your singleness this holiday!