For a pessimist, I'm pretty optimistic.

This year is going to be my first Valentine's day as a single girl since 2009. Interestingly enough, for the time I was in relationships I was never fussed about Valentine's day - I am a romantic at heart, but I find the way the word 'love' is cheapened and commercialised all a bit sickening. To put it bluntly, the idea of sitting in a crowded restaurant filled with pissed-off waiters and loved-up (or, more likely, not very loved up) couples made me want to puke a little bit. And yet this year it does suck a little bit that I won't have anyone with me to poke fun at what a stupid holiday Valentine's day is, making plans to not make plans together. 

The problem is, whether you are indifferent to it, love it or hate it, Valentine's day is made into a big deal. And I'd rather not ignore it like a big, pink elephant in the room (holding a Tiffany's bag and a bunch of flowers) - something everyone knows is there but no one wants to talk about. I'm not the kind of girl who can't be happy without a guy - I find it sad that some people feel that way - but it is easy to feel a little melancholy when you see people who truly have found the right person. And I don't think I'm the only one, so I thought in cases like this a girl-power playlist can never go amiss. I warn you, though - it's going to be cheesy. It's going to be ridiculous. It's going to be just like this holiday. ;)

Marina and the Diamonds = Primadonna
I am a primadonna girl. All I ever wanted was the world. I can't help that I need it all. I love that Marina sings about being a little bit spoilt and materialistic and selfish with no regrets and no shame, because we can all be a little bit like that sometimes (plus being single just means we'll have to spoil ourselves rather than relying on someone else to do it..!)

New Year's Day - Ready Aim Misfire

Seriously though, if you've ever had a bad breakup you need this album. The entire thing is about getting over somebody, but in a 'wow, you really dragged me down didn't you, I'm not going to waste my time missing you' way - all upbeat, no ballads to be heard here. New Years Day are an emo band of the Fall Out Boy variety, rather than the drippy, miserable kind. If you're having a bit of a mopey, 'I miss you' day you need to just put this album on stupidly loud and sing along. If you like this, try My Sweet Unvalentine, Brilliant Lies and I Was Right, too (and if you're really bitter, You'll Only Make It Worse.) See what I mean? The whole album's like feel-good therapy in the form of music.

Lily Allen - Not Fair
Well, you know, with some relationships it might not be that you're emotionally incompatible...

Paramore - For A Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic
I really love this song because it's very upbeat in the face of being screwed over. Hayley Williams tells it like it is and she bites back. I love the title of this song more than anything, it kind of describes how I feel about love. I have quite high standards and I'm not one to settle for something for the sake of it, but I have high hopes and I do think there is someone for everyone.

Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive

Well, I had to include this really, didn't I? I know it's ridiculously cliche and I can't say that I've ever found myself enthusiastically shouting along to this after the best part a bottle of wine ('Go on, now go - walk out the door' - might have to try that, actually) but this song is a classic and has earnt it's place on this post.

Spice Girls - Wannabe
Seriously guys, I did tell you this post was going to be cheesy. But I'm not going to apologise for spreading a little bit of girl power. Relationships can come and go but a friendship is forever. That's something that I am resolved to never, ever forget.

Destiny's Child - Independent Women

I'm listening to a lot of Destiny's Child this side of Valentine's Day. It's actually all Margaret's fault, a jokey comment she left on my blog got Independent Women in my head, and I've not managed to get it out since. But I'm fine with that because there's nothing wrong with a good bit of reminiscing, and I have only fond memories of the playground discussion of 'if the three of us were Destiny's Child, who would we be?' and the following fight over who would be Beyonce. But man, I do think this song is empowering! (Because I depend on me if I want it.)

Beyonce - Girls (Run The World)
.. well we do, don't we?! Or maybe we should. See also: Irreplacable and Best Thing I Never Had.

Disney - I Won't Say I'm In Love
Disney is hardly known for its use of empowered heroines, unfortunately, but I really love this song nonetheless. Meg's basically singing about how she's had some bad relationship experiences before and isn't in a rush to get hurt again - but at the end of the film she does end up with Hercules and everyone lives happily ever after. N'aww.

Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Taylor Swift isn't exactly the kind of girl that puts up with a guy messing her around. She has a fair few albums to prove that (!) and she won't settle for a relationship that's not worth her time and effort. I think it's a good attitude to have, to be honest.

Seriously though - I love being in love, and having someone to be affectionate with - but ultimately it's far better to be single and happy and doing what you want than to be in the wrong relationship that holds you back and makes you miserable. So whatever your plans are, alone, with friends or happily coupled, I wish you all a very happy Valentine's day.