Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is impossible to ignore.

Those who have just broken up in their relationships or divorced can find this day a bit of a struggle.  If you know that you are one of those people, try to avoid spending it with the ghosts of Valentine’s day past and instead, treat yourself do something you enjoy and/or see friends.

Here’s how some of our DC members have spent their first Valentine’s Day after their divorce:

Go out with friends

Gill:  I went out with my single friends.  They were also pleased to have plans.  We just went for a drink and were surprised how busy it was with other singletons.  It was actually a really fun night.

Nish:  I went down the local pub.  It was nice to catch up with friends and there loads of others too so you realise you aren’t the only one.

Sight-seeing

Michelle:  I went to Hever Castle which was the home of Anne Boleyn.  Her marriage is a cautionary tale if ever there was one.  It was also great being in such nice surroundings and learning more about this interesting but doomed relationships.

Do something your ex hated

Anne:  My ex-husband hated walking so that’s what I did.  I walked lots all over the Welsh Hills.  It was so beautiful and I remember thinking, “Now I can walk as much as want and do anything else I please”.

Dean:  My wife was a vegetarian and obsessed with healthy eating.  We always had some tasteless, salad, no carbs, no dressing.  So I tucked into a Maccy D’s – Supersize.  Delish!

Spending it with the kids

Haroon:  I spent it with the children.  We ordered in pizza and watched a film.  We also told each other 3 reasons we loved each other.  So I managed to get love somehow.

Paula:  My kids were excited about Valentine’s day.  They brought home hearts and wanted to know if daddy and mummy had sent each other cards.  That was a difficult moment but other than that it was a normal evening.  Once I had put them to bed I called up a friend who I know hates Valentine’s day who could remind me why I had nothing to envy.

Do nothing

Peter:  I did nothing at all.  I was pleased to be able to avoid it for once!

Yang:  I thought it was going to be difficult.  One of my best memories of my relationship was from our first Valentine’s day.  I had the odd bit of reminiscing but just like with the rest of the divorce, you just push through.

Ishtiaq:  It was an evening of Netflix for me.  Pure bliss.

Try something new

Paula:  I love learning and trying out new things and so that is exactly what I did.  I spent my first Valentine’s day post divorce clinging to my local climbing wall.  Great fun.

Go to some singles’ night or Meetups

All cities have caught up with the money that can be made from single people looking to have some company.  So there are loads of Meetups and other sites such as Design My Night that can find just the activity for you.

We run some evenings too so click here to see what fun and games, you can have with us –  and not a red heart in site!

photo credit: Pison Jaujip <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/52476811@N07/6857107349″>Valentine’s Day Chocolates Candy</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a>