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1. “Getting drunk”
It seemed like a good idea at the time...
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Seems like a good idea at the time but I can assure you, this is no way to spend this time. Firstly, consuming copious amounts of alcohol will un-doubtably lead to nostalgia and in essence, if you’re single on Valentine’s Day, the last thing you want to be doing is reminiscing about your ex in any shape or form. My suggestion is find one or two of your close friends who also are unattached and spend a quiet evening enjoying a glass of wine or two. Wine accompanied with food will always go down much better than main-lining tequila…trust me, I know.
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2. “Get out of the house”
Rosebank Flea Market, Johannesburg
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Moping around the house on Valentine’s Day will only encourage you to fall deeper into the emo state Valentine’s was designed to make single people feel. Get out of the house, the world becomes your oyster and – if you weren’t already aware – Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year and Sundays in South Africa hold so much potential.
For instance, if the mood strikes you, you can try out the Rosebank Flea Market. Bargain with the stand operators, try different foods, buy a book you’d never consider reading and peruse at the incredibly average art. One can find a million-and-one reasons to visit a Flea Market and you can officially add this years Valentine’s to the list as well.
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3. “Go Farming”
I love Hippies!
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Now, don’t get the wrong idea…I’m not asking you to go and get all Martha Stewart on me here, all I’m saying it takes some time and get back to your “grass roots”. Take time for yourself. Not being with anyone over this time of the year allows you one luxury…time! Again, don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking you to whip out your diary and write a book nor am I asking you to sit in your room all day listening to the Twilight soundtrack on repeat…I’m saying allow time for yourself and do the things you’ve really been meaning to get around to doing. Forcing yourself to focus on “you time” does has an eventual rewarding feeling.
If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there is always the Bryanston Organic & Natural Market, which is open from 9AM to 3PM on Thursday and Saturday. It is on the premises of Michael Mount Waldorf School, Culross Road (off Main Road), Bryanston. There are crafts and homemade deli food with live music to add to the abnormally high hippie vibe that already exists.
There is also the Blubird Whole Food Market which is open every Sunday, 9AM to 2PM. It is at the Blubird Shopping Centre, Athol Oaklands Road, off Corlett Drive in Birnam. Besides culinary fare, it supplies earthworms for composting and sells bio-friendly detergents. Who knew there was so much “grassroots level” experiences to be had in the concrete jungle that is Jo’burg?!?
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4. “Blowing off some steam”
A true art form...
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This is not what you think it is…The Ngwenya Glass Village, about 20 minutes from Joburg, is an ideal place to spend a warm afternoon. The quiet spot offers a playground for kids, quaint shops for browsing, good food at Zest restaurant or a drink at Gilroy's Brewery. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9AM to 4:30PM. Glass blowing is demonstrated only on the last full weekend of the month. Find it in Muldersdrift in Shady Lane, 200m east of Beyers Naudé and Diepsloot R114 Corner.
This place is truly amazing and planning to go for the “glass-blowing” demonstration is highly recommended.
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5. “Go techie Go”
A definite must see!
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If environmentalism and recycling is not up your alley, why not take a trip to The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is the largest science centre in southern Africa, and offers a host of interactive displays to heighten the experience of science and technology to children and adults alike. It is on the corner of Miriam Makeba and President Streets, Newtown, and is open 9AM-5PM during the week but closes at 4:30PM on weekends and public holidays.
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6. “Let the culture find you”
Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG)
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Discovering a liking for things outside of one’s own comfort-zone is easy enough even for the culturally inapt. The best way to start with exposure to alternative experiences is to purposely take yourself out of that comfort-zone and be open to change and possibilities and the best place to start would be JAG. For those of you who live under a rock, JAG is the Johannesburg Art Gallery which is truly an oasis of art and beauty in the heart of Joubert Park, the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), with its vast permanent collection and interesting exhibitions, it’s well worth a visit.
To find out what else is happening on the art and culture scene, start off with the events calendar at the City of Johannesburg’s website (below). Look out for the Arts Alive international festival, which is set to be one of the best arts and culture events of the year.
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7. “Getting wild”
Lory Park in Midrand
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Now before you get your hopes up, this is not what you think it is…the Lory Park in Midrand is home to more than 130 different species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Birds of prey include the Jackal Buzzard and the American Bald Eagle. There are also tigers, pumas and lions. Owners Eddy and Matty van Eck want to offer a holistic learning experience to children and to educate them on the rehabilitation of the environment. It is at ' Kruger Road, President Park, Midrand. This kind of experience cannot be found anywhere else in the world so do yourself and favour and take some time out to appreciate what lies just beyond your own doorstep.
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8. “Go get lost”
Honeydew Mazes...incredible!
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Yes, this may sound like the exact line you want to spit your ex’s way, but unfortunately here at ZAGlamour, we don’t condone bullying the weak and therefore…”getting lost” is something for you. The Honeydew Mazes…I know it sounds like something from a Dickens novel, but it’s true…the venue offers a number of fun and interesting mazes for families (children have to be accompanied by an adult) to explore, such as a green maze made from indigenous plants, an elemental maze made from reed walls, and rope maze. For older children and adults, there's also the option of the Moonlight Mazes, generally held every two weeks or so, usually on a Saturday evening.
Just remember that booking for this is essential. The venue also offers a game of Bocces - a precision sport that closely resembles bowls and pétanque. A coffee shop on the site sells crisps, filled rolls, and drinks. It is open 10AM to 5PM on weekends, with the last entry to the mazes at 2:45PM. If you’re looking for a great time out with an enormous change of scenery, this spot is the one for you.
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9. “Friends for life”
Friends...make their time count!
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They say that time heals all wounds…maybe it does, but what truly heals those wounds and teaches you not to play with fire again...are friends. Spending time with friends is one of the best and most essential ways of getting through the emotional lows of Valentine’s. Having friends around allows you to forcefully interact with them conversing about anything and everything…and in the end, fleeting loves might come and go, but friends will always remain a constant in your life…don’t ignore their healing properties.
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10. “Me, Me, Me….Me”
"Mirror mirror......ermm...nevermind..."
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Some find it hard to treat themselves to some of the finer things in life, whilst others have no conscience in the matter…what is true is that treating yourself to a little “me-time” can do wonders for the ego and self confidence. Whether it’s taking your car for a full valet or going to the spa for a bodily treatment of some sort, any and all selfish notions must be taken full advantage of during this time…so go one…treat yourself to them, you probably deserve it.
Hopefully you will be able to find at least one of these 10 activities useful over the month of February to either augment your happiness or to ease the hurt of love ended.
Either way, may you have a fantastic month and remember you’re Number 1 and let no one tell you any different.
David
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