Dreading that infamous lovey-dovey holiday that is hiding in the bushes ready to pounce?

Let's face it: No one wants to be without that, dare I say it, "special someone" on Valentine's Day. So, if you're currently without that special person, celebrate this year differently. Make Valentine's Day about you.

Alison James, author of I Used to Miss Him...But My Aim is Improving: Not Your Ordinary Break Up Survival Guide and soon to be released in March The 10 Women You'll Be Before You're 35, has a different, fun perspective for all of those singles out there.

With Valentine's Day comes the issues of love, relationships and those little, pastel candy hearts. It is intended to be a happy day, free of guilt.

However, people tend to get a little stressed if they feel they are lacking in the love department. It is a day that most of the singles out there do not look forward to.

"We are all under the impression that everyone else has that special someone. No less people are single on Valentine's Day than any other day of the year," James said in an interview.

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a reminder of your previously failed attempts at a good relationship. Nor does it have to be a stressful situation where you try to one-up last year or impress your significant other. Take this year off.

"I think it's good if you have someone to spend Valentines Day with, but it's just a normal day. If you don't have a girlfriend, take out one of your friends to a movie and dinner and pretend like it's a real date," Todd Wilson (freshman-premedicine) said.

There are a variety of ways to make this Valentine's Day special.

So, not having a significant other is not the end of the world.

"Do something for yourself that day, act like it's not even happening. Holidays are a change to do something that you wouldn't normally do, appreciate your friend or family member. It doesn't have to be about having that special someone in your life," James said.

Basically, just because you are alone on Valentines Day doesn't mean you have to be lonely.

Alison James' books tackle everyday problems just like this one.

Like the break up survival guide, her new book The 10 Women You'll Be Before You're 35 is "fresh and honest, and does not contain any overtly psychological rhetoric that might be difficult to relate to," said James' fiance and manager, Thomas Howe.

James is also currently working on her third book that is yet to be titled and due out in the winter of 2006.

"She admits through her writing that life isn't easy, but she also provides women outlets and advice for overcoming the obstacles and challenges they will face," Howe said.