There is a 41% chance that if you’re reading this, you are single.

If you’re a woman, your singleness is actually a strength. Congratulations! You are likely healthier, happier and more likely to live longer than your non-single counterparts.

For my fellow single ladies, here are three ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day without breaking your budget.

• Have a cozy breakfast

By opting for local produce, one can choose to be intentional with their consumption. Purchasing locally is pouring back into our communities. You can shop for a carton of eggs, fruit and perhaps some locally sourced honey from your farmers’ market.

Keep an eye out for a bouquet of your favorite flowers while you’re out. This holiday, you are making your home into a cozy sanctuary of rest and love.

However, if making breakfast at home feels like a bit much, have someone else make it for you. Visit a local cafe. Perhaps a cinnamon roll with a hot latte is more your speed. You can enjoy your warm breakfast guilt-free in the company of the kind cafe and its staff.

• Create a spa day at home

Many of us could use a relaxing spa day. However, going to the spa is not always affordable. Here are three spa-like experiences you can make with only the ingredients in your pantry.

Sugar Scrub

First, snag the granulated sugar from your cabinet and a carrier oil of your choice. Coconut, jojoba, olive, almond or grapeseed will work for this exfoliant. 

Combine half a cup of sugar with half a cup of oil in a bowl or container. Apply the mixture liberally to your skin in the shower. Rub in circular motions to wash the dead skin away and reveal a glow underneath. 

Moisturize with lotion when finished. Your skin will thank you!

Honey Mask

This at-home spa hack is foolproof. We won’t be using anything but honey for this mask since it is a strong antioxidant on its own. 

Clip your hair out of your face and cleanse thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of honey all over your face while avoiding your eyes. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before washing it away with a gentle cleanser. 

You’ll have a softer, calmer skin barrier at the end of this spa day.

Hair Mask

That carrier oil you used earlier for your sugar scrub just might work as a hair mask! If you have coconut oil in your pantry, feel free to pull it out again. Gradually distribute approximately two tablespoons of coconut oil throughout your hair. 

Focus on your ends first as you work your way up to your scalp. Leave the oil in your hair for 30 minutes to one hour.

Shampoo your hair thoroughly twice. You’ll walk away with all the benefits of moisturised, frizz-free hair with no greasy aftermath.

• Watch a romance

Were you assigned to read the classic, haunting Gothic novel “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë in high school? 

Well, take everything you know about this book and set it aside. Based on the trailer, cast interviews and previewed soundtrack, we are getting the sultry movie romance many booktok girls have dreamed of. The best part? I will be in theatres on Valentine’s Day.

Other selections you can watch from home include “10 Things I Hate About You” and “13 Going on 30”. For a sapphic romance filled with comedy, I recommend “But I’m a Cheerleader”.

In summary…

Regardless of how you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day, remember to show everyone around you a little extra kindness. The origins of the holiday embody a tone of unconditional love, sacrifice and hope. So slip on your favourite reds and pinks, and wear your heart on your sleeve. Even if only for one day.

Happy Valentine’s Day!