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Lonely va

$3 - Wednesday. February 14, 1990 - North Shore News

love
known

PAGE 44

entine

SINGLES SHOULDN’‘T AVOID DAY OF LOVE

VALENTINE’S DAY is a special occasion for many cou-

ples, but for
depressing than delightful.

On holidays, says counsellar
Lou Moreau, people's single status
can “hit them like a ton of bricks.
They feel separated not only from
a partner but from the rest of the
world."’) There are, however,
remedies to alleviate Valentine's
Day loneliness, and Moreau, who
often leads singles’ discussion
groups for women, offers a few
for the benefit of any readers who
may be facing today’s celebrations
with dread.

The most important step, says
Moreau, is to acknowledge your
fecling of loneliness. Once you've
admitted to yourself that getting
through the holiday may he dif-
ficult, talk about your feeling with
a friend, and, on “our own or be-
tween the two of you, develop
some alternatives to the traditional
couple festivities.

“Celebrate yourself rather than
waiting for someone to give it to
you,’’ counsels Moreau. Send
yourself beautiful flowers, indulge
in a box of decadent chocolates, or
treat yourself to a dinner out — in
your all-time favorite restaurant or

their single friends the day is often more

ELL-WHITTAKER
Reporter

that new one you've always meant
to ry out.

You'll also make yoursclf feel
better by giving to others, not just
to yourself, Valentine’s Day is a
good time to reach out to all the
people you love — whether it be a
close friend, co-worker or relative.
Taking the time to give them a2
call, wrap up a houseplant or send
them a card is a marvellous way to
enter into the spirit of St. Vaten-
tine.

Wo you've got children, have
some fun with them. Have a
Valentine-making party and ex-
change your creations afterwards
over a special meal. ‘*Rather than
trying tu push the holiday away,”
says Moreau, ‘‘really get into it.”

A group of women in Moreau’s
latest. singles’ workshop at
Capilano College have made plans
to splurge on a special dinner out
tonight, and Morcau agrees that
organizing a party for other singles

is definitely an enjovable way to
spend Valentine's Day. Hf you
havent arranged your own party,
check the newspaper for notice of
any singles’ dances or other cele-
brations that may be happening
around town.

if the single life gets you feeling
down a lot of the time, not just on
Valentine’s Day, vou may wish to
consider joining a singles’ discus-
sion group or attending a Singles’
Fair.

Discussion groups, says Moreau,
can offer you a forum to talk
about your experiences as a single
and deal with any hurt, anger or
rejection you still may be feeling
from a previous relationship. Ex-
ploring new activities, learning
coping skills and making new
friends all help to give you a much
better feeling about being on your
own, she notes.

A number of community
groups, churches, the YWCA and
resource centres offer such support
and discussion groups. Watch for
a further Capilano College
workshop or check with your local
community groups if you're inter-
ested in exploring so~.¢ of the pos-
itive benefits of “cing a single. In
the meantiire, Happy Valentine’s
Day, sing!..-style!

Ed’s Linens

HUGE MANUFACTURER $)

VALENTINE’S DAY can be a depressing holiday for people who aren't
in a relationship, but cheer up — the picture doesn’t have to be so bleak.
Counsellor Lou Moreau offers suggestions to singles on celebrating the
occasion in a style all their own.

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