Valentine’s Day: the most dreaded holiday of them all. It’s the holiday that seems to put more pressure on people to buy gifts than Christmas or any of the other gift-giving holidays put together. It's filled with just that: pressure. If it’s not about the gifts, it’s about plans, the date, the outfits, all for some big expectations of it being the best day ever in terms of romance. Without knowing the real history behind the holiday, I would believe the holiday was made up by the Hallmark Channel, pastry shops, and jewelry stores. It’s quite easy to latch onto this theory. It makes enough sense. The Hallmark Channel projects the ideal image of love on every movie. The pastry shops show off their fancy culinary skills with desserts. The jewelry store put heart-shaped anything on a commercial or poster. You see it way before February 14th. It all starts when the stores first put the decorations out. This is around late December- early January.
I’m here to say no one should feel like this is the holiday that determines how the rest of your year goes. No matter what kind of relationship you associate with Valentine’s Day, whether it is for family, friends, or a significant other, it’s not worth the stress. It just isn’t. Most people see this philosophy already, by having “Single-Awareness Day” or “Anti-Valentine’s Day”. I give these people applause. In today’s society, it’s good to break free from the norms.
For the people who still have hope for Valentine’s Day, let me state the optimistic view on the occasion. If you’re celebrating with the family, you can enjoy being with each other. It sounds simple enough, but you’ll be surprised how little this is done. You might say “That’s what Thanksgiving is for.” Let me tell you it can work for V-Day too. With your friends, you can have group dates with the significant others or you can take part in the “Single-Awareness Day” or “Anti-Valentine’s Day” and have a night on the town or a chill night at the house. Forget what society says that it’s a couple-induced holiday, and singles just suffer. This is not what we want to accept. As for having a significant other, that’s great. However, like I addressed before about the pressure and stress, it’s not worth making a super big deal about. If you two have plans, that’s wonderful. Valentine’s Day should be fun and not about living up to “big expectations” like an extravagant dinner at a restaurant you can’t pronounce or losing your V-card. If you’re celebrating truly alone, I highly suggest dedicating it to looking good and feeling good about yourself and for yourself. Go out and have fun. Get some things on your bucket list (if you have one) done. Take time to take care of yourself. Me-time never hurt anybody.
The purpose of the holiday is to spend it with those you care about—just like every other holiday ever. Don’t let the fact that everything is practically doused in colors of red, white, and pink make you feel like the day is an exam—something to just get out of the way. Break free from the oppression and find your liberty in whatever you do.
