Surviving Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year as a Single — And Turning It Into Your Love Story

Maria Azzahra

February 10, 2026

For singles across Asia, the start of the year brings a unique emotional double feature: Valentine’s Day closely followed by Chinese New Year (CNY). One celebrates romance with flowers and candlelight dinners. The other celebrates family, tradition, and — inevitably — questions about your relationship status.

If you’re single, this period can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it might be the perfect turning point in your love life.

Here’s how to navigate Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year as a single — and how a professional dating agency like Lunch Actually can help you move from “still single” to “finally meeting the right one.”

Why This Season Feels Extra Hard for Singles

Being single isn’t a problem. But certain times of the year shine a giant spotlight on it.

1. Valentine’s Day Pressure Is Everywhere

From restaurant promotions for couples to endless engagement posts on social media, Valentine’s Day can make single people feel like they’re missing out. Even if you’re perfectly happy most of the year, February 14 can trigger thoughts like:

“Why haven’t I met someone yet?”

“Am I falling behind?”

“Will I still be single next year?”

This emotional comparison trap is completely normal — but staying stuck in it doesn’t help.

2. Chinese New Year = Family Interrogation Season

If Valentine’s Day is public pressure, Chinese New Year is personal pressure.

You sit down for reunion dinner, and before the yu sheng is even tossed, someone asks:

“So… got boyfriend/girlfriend already or not?”

“When are you getting married?”

“Next year bring someone home, okay?”

Even if they mean well, these questions can feel like reminders that your love life isn’t where you want it to be.

3. Festive Seasons Highlight Loneliness

Holidays are about togetherness. When you don’t have a partner, the absence can feel louder — especially at night, after the gatherings end and you’re back home scrolling through couple photos.

The key is not to ignore these feelings — but to use them as motivation for change.

How to Handle Valentine’s Day as a Single (Without Feeling Miserable)

Instead of seeing Valentine’s Day as a reminder of what you don’t have, reframe it as a checkpoint in your love journey.

Focus on Self-Worth, Not Relationship Status

Your value is not defined by whether you have a partner. Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday — not a life deadline. Being single doesn’t mean you are unwanted; it just means you haven’t met the right match yet.

Do Something That Makes You Feel Good

Plan a night that’s about you:

Dinner with close friends

A solo self-care evening

Trying a new hobby or class

The goal is to associate the day with positive energy — not just romantic pressure.

Ask Yourself One Honest Question

Instead of “Why am I still single?” ask:
“Have I been actively creating opportunities to meet the right kind of partner?”

If the answer is mostly swiping, waiting, or hoping to bump into someone organically, it may be time for a smarter approach.

How to Survive Chinese New Year Questions About Your Love Life

You can’t avoid relatives. But you can control how you respond — and how much power their questions have over you.

Prepare Light-Hearted Responses

A little humor can diffuse the tension:

“Still screening applicants!”

“Taking my time to find quality, not rushing for quantity.”

“Next year hopefully got better update!”

This keeps things polite without turning dinner into a debate.

Remember: Their Timeline Is Not Your Timeline

Many older relatives grew up in a different era where people married younger and had fewer dating options. Today, careers are longer, social circles are smaller, and modern dating is more complex. Your journey is not wrong — it’s just different.

Use the Discomfort as Fuel

If the questions bother you, it might be because deep down, you do want a relationship. That feeling isn’t weakness — it’s clarity. And clarity is powerful when you take action.

Why Staying Passive in Dating Doesn’t Work Anymore

Modern dating apps promise endless options, but many singles find themselves stuck in a cycle of:

Matching but not meeting

Chatting but not connecting

Dating but not progressing

Swiping gives the illusion of effort, but often leads to burnout and disappointment. If you’re serious about finding a life partner, you need more than algorithms and chance encounters.

You need structure, guidance, and real compatibility.

That’s where a professional dating agency like Lunch Actually comes in.

How Lunch Actually Helps Singles Find Real Love

Lunch Actually is not just another dating platform. It’s a matchmaking agency designed for busy professionals who are serious about finding a long-term relationship.

1. You’re Matched Based on Compatibility — Not Just Photos

Instead of judging profiles in seconds, professional matchmakers take time to understand your:

Personality

Values

Lifestyle

Relationship goals

This means you’re introduced to people who are genuinely aligned with what you’re looking for — not just someone who looks good in pictures.

2. No More Endless Swiping

Lunch Actually does the filtering for you. You don’t have to spend hours on apps or wonder if the other person is serious. Every introduction is with someone who is also looking for a meaningful relationship.

This saves time, emotional energy, and dating fatigue.

3. Guidance and Support Along the Way

Many singles struggle not because they’re “not good enough,” but because they lack feedback and dating strategy. Dating coaches provide advice on:

First date conversations

Communication styles

Building attraction and connection

It’s like having a coach for your love life.

Turning Festive Pressure Into a Fresh Start

Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year can either be annual reminders of what you don’t have — or the moment you decide to do something different.

Imagine this:

Next year, when relatives ask about your love life, you can say,
“I actually joined a matchmaking agency and I’ve been meeting great people.”

Or maybe even better — you’ll be bringing someone special to reunion dinner.

Love rarely happens by accident. It happens when intention meets the right opportunity.

Your Love Story Can Start This Year

Being single during Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means your story is still being written.

Instead of waiting for love to magically appear, take a confident step forward. With the right support, the right introductions, and the right mindset, this could be the year everything changes.

Lunch Actually helps singles move beyond swiping, beyond guesswork, and toward real, lasting connections.

Because next Valentine’s Day and next Chinese New Year?
You deserve a different story to tell. ❤️