Solo and Rocking it!

KOCHI: Valentines Day celebrations? It’s clichéd already!’ say the new age singles, who are in no mood to grieve over their relationship status this V-Day. The sweet scent of fresh flowers and aroma of candies may be wafting around them, but the cool souls have their own ways of making the ‘lovers day’ special. From holding ‘Singles Awareness Day’ to revelling in some ‘me-time’, here are the various ways in which singles in the State are planning to rock the day.
Movie Marathon
As V-Day falls on a Sunday this year, it’s a perfect day for a ‘single-friendly’ movie marathon, say many youngsters.Techie Taniya Joseph from Trivandrum says, “Blue Valentine, Revolutionary Road, Miss Congeniality… there are umpteen ‘celebrate singlehood’ movies if you check online. My friends and I have lined up a few, alongside some Malayalam comedy films from the 80s, followed by sumptuous food and drinks. We are planning to celebrate the day, single style.” Kiran Madhu, who recently had a break-up, plans to spend the day checking out all the ‘dude flicks’ he has been keeping aside for while in a relationship. “From Star Wars to Kya Kool Hai Hum, so many movies are pending and it’s good that Valentine’s Day this year is a Sunday. I just want to show myself what I have been missing! Hmph!”
Rewind Sessions
Interestingly, some singles plan to have a roundup with their other ‘untethered pals’ to sit together, sharing some ‘flip-middle-finger-at-love’ stories. Archana Ravi, a student from Kochi, says, “Couples might say we are in denial or are jealous, but it’s fun doing a bit of ‘Valentines bashing’ through this activity. It’s definitely wrong to assume that everyone who is in a relationship is happy. Some are just living the bad love stories to tell us in the future (laughs). We vent, discuss and end the day as happy singles.” Archana’s friend Thara adds, “We all have met people whom we thought are ‘the one.’ But looking back, we know we weren’t a good match. Now that it’s all over, at least we can share the takeaways with friends, to ease the negativity. Which other day is better than V-Day?”
Celebrating with those who love you
For last year’s Valentine’s Day, tourism professional Arun Gopal from Kollam sent some candies to his friends who had just come out of certain ‘toxic’ relationships. Interestingly, he got the idea after a few of his friends sent him some thoughtful gifts, the previous V-Day. “I believe that if there is an occasion to celebrate, it should be made use of in the best possible way. For those like me who do not have a Valentine, the day of love is best celebrated when the feeling is shared with those you love.” Reena Mol, a teacher from Trivandrum, says, “I know some of my friends who take their parents out for dinner or a movie on the day. Effectively, it is about expressing love towards those who matter to you.”
Be in your own company
Being alone on V-Day can be just as fun as going out with your date, says some of the singles. For them, the day also means celebrating all things positive about being the sole ruler of their own world. “Well, I’m hanging out with the one I love the most on the day – myself!” says Anna Njavally, a techie from Kottayam. She adds, “I look at the benefits – it’s cheaper and easier to spoil yourself, right? And like someone said, love for oneself triggers the beginning of a life-long romance!”