Other than my junior year, any Valentine's Day that came across during my college years were filled with a wide range of emotions. Part of me was salty because I wanted the gifts and attention others were getting. Part of me was relieved that I didn't have to plan anything and could focus on classes the next day. Most of the time though Valentines Days were filled with anticipation for the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy.
I've always wondered how my personal mixed emotions seemed to line up with the general population and research shows that it's complicated for many. Although singles aren't necessarily devastated by it, our thoughts about Valentines Day depend on many situational factors.
And if you're a single college girl, you may be thinking these 11 things on Valentine's Day:
1. “I wish I had a boyfriend just for the day.”
This is what some girls are thinking if they’ve been single for a while and they don’t necessarily miss being in a long-term relationship, but they just want completely undivided attention for the day and a romantic candlelight dinner.
2. “I’m glad I don’t have a boyfriend. I don’t need a man.”
This is what usually goes on through girl's heads if they're the independent type who don't place that much value on relationships. They might still scroll through Instagram out of pure nosiness, but if anything, they're probably thinking about how happy they are in the relationship they have with themselves.
3. “I wonder if he’ll send me a happy Valentine’s Day text...or maybe it’s too early for that.”
Valentines Day is already hyped up enough when you’re in a relationship and it’s to be expected that you probably won’t be doing anything romantic if you’re single on that day. But what about those who are in a situationship? Yes, it’s that awkward phase when an official title isn’t there, but that doesn’t mean Valentines Day can’t be brought up at all. Don’t you secretly hope that the person you’re involved with will at least send you a “Happy Valentines” text or stop by and give you a rose?
4. “Wait, they’re actually together?”
On Valentine's Day, the timeline on Instagram is similar to the Oprah Winfrey meme “You get a car! You get a car!" except it's with boyfriends instead. This girl has a boyfriend! *gasp* and this girl has a boyfriend too! *gasp*
5. “Wait...didn’t she just key his car and slash his tires after he hooked up with her best friend last week?”
This exact thought might be a tad bit of an overexaggeration, but it's still the most awkward thing when you see a picture of a couple looking as happy as can be, but deep down everyone knows that their relationship is nothing but drama behind closed doors.
6. “I’ll just hang out with my girl friends, eat pizza, and gossip.”
Girls who enjoy the company of their closest friends more than anyone else will most likely be thinking of hosting a Galentine's Day party rather than a Valentine's Day party. Besides, romantic love isn't the only love that exists.
7. “I’ll treat myself with chocolate.”
Let's be real. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to take a break from the diet and splurge on candy and chocolate.
8. “I’ll treat myself with wine.”
Other than candy and chocolate, wine would be the third option as a substitute for having someone special for Valentine’s Day.
9. “I can’t believe I got dumped.”
Believe it or not, the time of February is peak breakup time. A Facebook study showed that around the time of Valentine’s Day is usually when you’ll notice breakups start to happen in a more recurring manner.
10. “It’s literally no different than any other day.”
Then finally, there are the people who really don't give a damn about Valentine's Day at all because ultimately, it's just another day.
11. “Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't dick deprived.”
Sometimes Valentine's Day doesn't have people thinking about intimacy and romance. Sometimes it's just a reminder of the sexual drought you've been going through for a while.
