In years past, I have at times found myself in the unenviable position of being without a girlfriend, or even a date on Valentine's Day. I know there are currently a fair number of people in that same boat today, and so I thought I would put together an official midlifebachelor.com suggested list of THINGS YOU CAN DO on Valentine's Day when you don't have a date - along with a second list of WHAT NOT TO DO, too.

1. Drink with your buddies at their house and talk about how you don’t really need a relationship right now.  Of course, if you are the only one of your friends without a date, then you'll have to keep reading.
   
   
2. Go to the gym.  Nothing is better for this kind of stress than working out. You should be working out regardless.
   
   
3. Watch TV alone.   Sure – you can always watch TV alone at home … but this way no one else knows you don’t have a date!
   
   
4. Visit an adult website. If this is your strategy, then you probably don't want to publicize it.
   
   
5. Join an online dating service.
   The Heart Wants What The Heart Wants ... Find Out HERE
   

   
   
6. Spend time with your family.  You should be spending time with your family regardless, but this is an especially great day to do it – if you don’t have a date.
   
   
7. Throw a party for others who are dateless – no couples allowed!
   
   
8. Do whatever you would normally do any other day.  In other words, ignore the day!
   
   
9. Realize that marriage is the number one cause of divorce, and smile to yourself.
   
   
10. Recognize that by not having a girlfriend – that everyplace you go by yourself is HALF OFF the price … because you are only paying for yourself! You can further participate in the Great Recession by not even going out - by spending NOTHING, if you wish.
    
    
11. Read this website, come up with a Strategy for Midlife Bachelor Success so that you do not find yourself in this same situation next year!

1. Do not call or email an ex to see how she’s doing.   [Hint – she doesn't care, and she’s probably doing someone else.]
   
   
2. Do not go out to dinner that night – all you will see is happy couples, and you may want to throw rocks at them!  If you have to go out, then get fast food via the drive-through.
   
   
3. Do not go out on a first date with someone new.  I did this once years ago, and wow was that ever stupid – as it puts a lot of pressure on both parties to make the date into something it isn't.
   
   
4. Do not say anything negative to others you encounter during the day who have received flowers and/or gifts for Valentine's Day.  If you do, then they may think you are a LOSER with no date!  ha ha  ;o)
   
   
5. Do not let your neighbors see you washing your car or gardening or tooling around outside in the early evening on Valentine's Day – again because they may think you are a LOSER with no damn date!
   
   
6. Do not intentionally harm yourself!  Sure – you don’t have date this year, but things will get better in the future, and you will eventually find yourself imprisoned in another relationship (ha ha) … so look forward to that time, and think about how much money you saved by not having a girlfriend this year!

Good luck – next year will be better!

JANUARY 25, 2010 UPDATE - my dear friends, the Midlife Gals, have decided to share their plans via video for what to do on Valentine's Day when you don't have a date ...

MARCH 6, 2010 UPDATE - my good friend, Jennifer Dawson of www.partygirlplusone.com, created the following Valentine's Day webisode. Check out how she spent her Valentine's Day without a date (this is hhhot) ...