by Alex Le ‘17

1) Utilize Friendships

In your times of trials and tribulations with singleness, friendship is the ultimate remedy. To deal with being single and sad, you’re going to need the support of your friends 24/7. While real-life friends are great, they aren’t awake every hour of the day like the Internet. The best way to make online friends is through the popular online game “Club Penguin.” Replace your real-life friends who don’t spend everyday after school with you with reliable, dependable Internet friends. Granted, you’ll spend your weekends in your basement playing Club Penguin, cringing at the sight of light, and losing major social skills, but at least you’ll have friends!

2) Listen to Music

As lyrical genius Rebecca Black once said, “Music is the best medicine.” In times of sorrow, certain music can trigger emotions of happiness and jumpstart the process of healing. When dealing with sadness, the artists that are guaranteed to improve your mood include: Nickelback, Rebecca Black, Soulja Boy, Iggy Azalea, and live performances of Mariah Carey. With masterful lyrics such as Rebecca Black’s “Gotta get down on Friday. Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend, weekend! Friday, Friday,” one can’t help but feel excited for his/her weekend filled with virtual ski trips and coffee with penguin friends.

3) Experience love

If you’re single, the quick fix is to find love. However, if you’re awkward and weird like so many teenagers, that can be a struggle. So, obviously, you move onto the next best thing: experiencing love vicariously through your non-single friend! Third wheel on every single date they have, and if you happen to miss one, interrogate your friend for EVERY single detail of the date. Knowledge is power, and the more information you have, the closer you’ll be to feeling love.

4) Try Something New

Obviously, if you’re lonely and somber, you’re doing something wrong. In order to end the cycle of self-pity, try something new: be someone else. Mimic the coolest people you know, especially from your school. Dress exactly like them, do the exact same activities, and make the exact same friends. By being someone else, you never have to be your isolated, melancholy self. If you’re scared he/she will be mad that you’re mimicking them, remember: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Hopefully, with these methods, you can cope with being single and sad instead of diving into a deep slumber, watching Netflix and eating ice cream. Good luck and happy Valentine’s Day!