Host a singles soiree where you and your single friends can celebrate not being tied down. (Comstock)

Sometimes I just wanna grab Cupid's arrow and fire it directly at him.

"Ha! Gotcha! Happy Valentine's Day!" I'd snarl as he feebly attempts to fly away.

No, this is not a very sweet sentiment at all. I understand this, and, realistically, I get that this freakishly small, mythical creature (who always strikes when you're not looking and never takes aim when you want him to) isn't to blame for all the excessively gooey horrors of Valentine's Day.

Still, last year I was cursing that little sadist like a good thing.

Maybe you've been there.

It's February 14th and everyone and their grandmother is receiving bouquets of fresh, velvety, red roses and there you are red-faced and tear-stained in post-breakup mode wondering how you went from being one half of a cozy couple to suddenly sorrow-filled and single.

Now the fact that my 2007 V-Day break-up happened to be a good thing, (no, make that great thing), is beside the point.

Fact is, even if the person you're splitting from is entirely wrong for you, this doesn't make watching those Birks diamond ads any easier, now does it?

I suspect I'll also have a few choice words for that little Cupid fella again this year.

Seems the man I call my "new-ish" boyfriend is heading off on a solo, albeit deserved, vacation.

To be fair, he did run the dates by me first, but nonetheless, it's a perfect example of something that's both bitter and sweet, non?

But such is the volatile -- and fragile -- nature of V-Day.

When you're in dizzying, heart-fluttering love, it's a welcome celebration, but, when you're not, it's a sickly, commercialized and torturous day, what with the sudden influx of syrupy-sweet Hallmark cards making lofty proclamations of undying love and all.

Now if you're single and getting ready to wallow with a couple pints of Haagen-Dazs ice cream in an effort to survive the Valentine's Day blues, before dipping that scoop, read on because you're in damn, good company.

According to Statistics Canada, singles now make up more than 50% of the population, which is a pretty impressive number if you ask me.

I know it's tough to avoid the nauseating romantic rituals leading up to the big day which, rather needlessly, adds a big, fat price tag onto our love lives. This may explain why more than 60% of singles in Canada and the U.S. are planning on staying home and feeling sorry for themselves this year, according to a survey by singles company Meet Market Adventures.

Meanwhile, almost 15% are planning to spend Valentine's Day out of town and 11% are organizing a party with fellow single pals.

Audrey Valeriani, author of Boot Camp for the Brokenhearted: How To Survive (and Be Happy) In the Jungle of Love, says when February 14th strikes, solo flyers must get creative.

"Plan a comfy night for yourself," offers the U.S.-based Valeriani.

"Take a bath, give yourself a mani-pedi, get some wine and have a night to yourself."

This is among Valeriani's14 suggestions for singles that range from hosting a singles soiree or a sex toys party, to taking a more selfless approach by volunteering or adopting a little furry friend from your local animal shelter.

"Sometimes when you give love, it gives you so much back," she says.

Rather than focusing on boxed chocolates, Valeriani advises taking action by creating an online dating profile or planning a pampering getaway.

Elizabeth MacInnis, an Edmonton-based certified matchmaker, agrees.

Being in the love biz, MacInnis understands the pressures of V-Day all too well.

In fact, she sees an increase in calls at this time of year.

"Our natural instinct is to be in love," MacInnis says.

"The dopamine (a powerful chemical released when we're falling in love) is addictive, and we want that in our life. Men and women will often call just before Valentine's Day or right after because, at the end of the day, everyone wants to be valued.

"They wonder, 'Where are the red roses and diamonds?' and 'Why isn't that coming to me?'" she explains.

But, before casting your love bait, take pause.

"Take a deep breath," MacInnis suggests.

"Don't rush out because, when you do, you make rushed decisions and then three months down the road, you're wondering what went wrong."

Still, if you're committed to having a "woe-is-me," night in, MacInnis says do it up right.

"If you're going to wallow, then wallow in wonderful romantic comedies and wallow in being in love with love," she laughs.

"Wallow in something you feel good about."