Do you remember that scene from Dear Zindagi in which Alia Bhatt’s character yells at a couple for, well, being a couple and doing all those cutesy (read: cringe) things together? She angrily says that love is nothing but “the same rubbish, bakwaas, and it’s irritating.” If you still relate to the scene, I’m guessing you’re single. But I won’t judge you. Being single has its own perks, until it’s Valentine’s Day. Then it’s a lot more frustrating to see people together, and deep down, you realise you don’t hate couples, you’re just a bit jealous. So, you consider logging off social media to avoid seeing couples online. But is it really a good idea to go entirely offline on Valentine’s Day, singles?

Related: Singles, Watch These Anti-Romance Movies To Celebrate A Solo Valentine’s Day

Why staying off social media on Valentine’s Day feels tempting

The moment Valentine’s week begins, your feed gets flooded with proposal videos, couple date ideas, surprise bouquets, and soft launches turning into hard launches. Romance is everywhere, all at once, just not with you at this point in life. This makes you yearn for love even more, wishing you had someone to flaunt on the internet. The comparison triggers major FOMO, making you feel low, as if you’re behind on the timeline. This only gets messier when you start overthinking, blaming your fate, or believing you just don’t deserve love. You get stuck in this loop and you feel like there’s only one way to get out of it: logging out of social media on Valentine’s Day.

How going completely offline affects singles on Valentine’s Day

Stepping away from social media on V-Day can help singles feel less lonely. It reduces your tendency to compare your life with your former classmate’s. Logging off social media is most helpful for people going through a breakup. Watching other people celebrate love can easily hurt a wound you’re trying to heal. In that case, stepping away isn’t avoidance, it’s about setting an emotional boundary. That said, going completely offline for a day in today’s world can also make you anxious.

For some people, being offline may not bring peace, it could make the silence louder. Without using social media, loneliness can feel more intense, especially if you’re already spending the day alone. More so, Valentine’s Day still exists, even if you don’t see it on your screen or in reality, and unresolved feelings don’t disappear with apps. In those cases, setting boundaries and limiting social media use rather than fully disconnecting is a better option. You can also indulge in self-care to celebrate a solo Valentine’s Day. Cook yourself a soulful meal or order in, watch anti-romance movies, listen to some anti-Valentine songs, celebrate Galentine’s Day with your single besties, and anything else that keeps you engaged.

Go offline or stay online: What’s more important for singles on Valentine’s Day?

Neither. What matters more is protecting your peace without pretending Valentine’s Day doesn’t exist. You don’t have to boycott the day by logging off dramatically or forcing yourself to be “unbothered.” Celebrate yourself and set a few gentle boundaries around what you consume online. Enjoy the freedom that comes with being single. And being single right now doesn’t define your worth. Neither does it mean that you’re falling behind in life, even when the internet tells you so.

But singles, if you do feel the V-Day blues, just remember the nonchalance of Salman Khan when he said, “Valentine’s Day se mera kya lena dena hai, bhai?” and laugh it off.

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Related: Are Dating Apps Over? Why Gen Z Is Turning Offline To Find Love

FAQs

Q1. Can staying online on Valentine’s Day actually make some singles feel better?

Yes. For some people, social media offers humour, distraction, or a sense of connection that reduces feelings of isolation.

Q2. How long should a social media break last if we take one on Valentine’s Day?

Singles, you don’t have to go offline for the entire Valentine’s Day. Even a few hours away from V-Day content can help reset your mood.

Q3. Does avoiding Valentine’s Day content mean we’re not over our past relationship?

No. If you want to distance yourself from romantic content, it can be about protecting yourself and setting emotional boundaries.

Q4. Should we plan something special for Valentine’s Day if we’re single?

Yes, but make sure whatever you do, you do it for yourself rather than for social media.

Q5. Is it better for singles to stay home or go outside on Valentine’s Day?

If you don’t mind seeing couples around you, go outside, have a cute solo date or one with your friends. But if you feel a bit envious around couples on V-Day, it’s better to stay home, dine in, and watch comfort shows.