Valentine’s Day dates back to 496 A.D, when the early Romans celebrated the festival of Lupercalia, a fertility ceremony commemorated every Feb. 15. In this particular festival, the men would sacrifice goats and dogs to the goddess of fertility and then whip their women with the hides of the animals they had slain – just for fun. Not very romantic.

According to Buzzfeed, 44 percent of Americans feel lonely, sad or depressed in the two-week period leading up to Valentine’s Day. If you’re sad, single and dreading V-Day, know that you are not alone.

This year, instead of staying in and crying about your romantic life, or lack thereof, pull yourself together with these uplifting things to do.

Treat Yo’ Self

Buy some plastic hearts filled with cheap chocolate. Eat it. Do not hold back. Indulging is acceptable when some of your friends are flaunting their painfully perfect relationships.

Binge Watch

Watch your favorite TV shows with your other sad, lonely friends. I recommend Orange Is the New Black (specifically S2, E6), or perhaps the Bachelor if you’re really hurting.

Heart-Shaped Piñata

Hit it hard. Really, really hard. You gotta cover up your desolation and heartache. Studies show that aggression (in mild doses) actually releases dopamine, which makes you happy.

Do Not Cry

…in public at least. Crying is a sign of weakness, and you must not be weak on this day. You may not have a significant other, but you have yourself – and in the end, the only person you can really make happy is you. So assert your newfound confidence and try not to drown in your sorrows. As Leslie Knope once said, “I am big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself.”

This Valentine’s Day, know that you are perfectly okay by yourself despite societal pressures. You are going to be fine – regardless of your relationship status.