Dear Nat: I’m spending my 20th Valentine’s Day sans boyfriend next week. How on earth do I combat falling into the depths of despair?

— Valentine’s Grinch
Dear Grinch: Here’s the best recipe I can muster: Combine one devil’s food cake mix, one bag of chocolate chips, one jar of marshmallow cream and one cup of peanut butter. Bake for 20 minutes. Top with one can of whipped cream. Serves one.
Of course, there are some less bloating options — like working it at the gym or gathering some friends for an anti-romance movie fest. How about going shopping for a hot new outfit with the money you would have spent on chocolates, flowers and balloons for some undeserving guy?
But really, letting Valentine’s Day turn you into a sourpuss is like allowing that bully back in first grade to make you feel like a wimp. If walking by a display of paper cut-out conversation hearts, courtesy of corporate weasels, is enough to ruin your day, then I see a serious problem with inner strength, sister. Learn to see beyond what is thrown in your face and get on with your life.
And who’s to say that Feb. 14 should be a day beyond all others to show love? In a relationship, I say every day counts, not just a 24-hour time period in February. So curb your jealousy, because chances are, those lovey-dovey couples you’ll see next Friday will be putting on their pressured best, and will return to quarreling the next day.
So this Valentine’s Day, indulge yourself if you have to, but please try to be stronger than all that love nonsense in the media. And don’t forget — when a guy does come along, he should shower you with attention every day of the year.
Dear Nat: I broke up with my boyfriend of a year and a half two weeks ago, and I just discovered he is gay and now has his own boyfriend! I feel so hurt and betrayed! All of my memories of him are tainted. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

— Saddened and Straight
Dear Saddened: I know most of my advice is rather blunt, but this time, I offer all my sympathy. For a long span of time, you were enveloped in a seemingly average, heterosexual relationship, and now, just daydreaming about the past brings resentment and disappointment. Like the entire memory of your romance has — Poof! — disappeared.
Your ex is finally free — he is acting on his true romantic and sexual impulses and is probably happier than ever. You, my dear, were unfortunately in the wrong place at the wrong time during the tail end of his confused stage. He may have stayed with you because he was unsure about his sexuality, or if he knew, was trying to ignore it. I’m sure he had no intention of hurting you.
But please, don’t allow that spot in your brain that holds photographs of the past year and a half turn to stone. Enjoy a reminiscent fantasy now and then, even if the thoughts initially lead to guilty pangs. But do keep these fantasies to a minimum, because consumption could lead to a wall between you and your next romantic interest.
Also, don’t squander the potential of your ex-boyfriend as a friend. Now that he’s 100 percent comfy in his own skin, he’s probably more of a blast to hang out with than ever. It would take some time, but who knows? You two could be buzzing about your hot new boyfriends together.