Valentine's Day, Solved!

Comedian and 2 Dope Queens co-host Phoebe Robinson on how to make the most of the holiday, whatever your status

- Phoebe Robinson

Valentine’s Day stresses a lot of people out. There’s a cultural expectation that it has to be the most romantic night you’ve ever had, with candles and rose petals all over your bedroom or a flash-mob marriage proposal like in the movies. Honestly? That’s too much pressure. (And kind of takes the fun out of it.) My experiences with V- Day have run the gamut. I’m newly in a relationship, but before that I was single for two years. And before that t I was in a four-year relationship, and we were both broke AF. I’ve had to make love work with no money, some money, by myself, with a partner … every scenario you can imagine. So I feel pretty qualified to be your guide this Valentine’s Day, no matter which stage of a relationship you’re in. You ready?

Newly Single

First of all, good luck, because there’s a lot of trash out there and now you’ve gotta weed through it. But honestly, this is the perfect time to get used to not being someone’s partner. Lean on— and reconnect with—your friends. We all spend so much time texting our besties during a work meeting or while we’re in the middle of watching Master Chef, but how often do we sit down and really focus on them for a few hours? Last year on Valentine’s Day, my friend and I got dressed up, went to a screening of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 reboot, and then had some drinks and got mac ’n’ cheese for dinner. You can’t be mad on a day like that—it was super fun. So whatever will put you in good spirits that’s legal and isn’t going to hurt anyone? Go for it.

Friends with Benefits