Oh man, it’s that time of year again: Valentine’s Day. I, for one, have never been a fan of this so-called “auspicious” day. More than love, Valentine’s Day, to me at least, screams nothing but overpriced chocolates and feigned affection. To put it bluntly, it’s overrated. Today, I have compiled a list of 3 reasons why I believe that Valentine’s Day is probably the most pointless holiday, if I may even call it that, out there.
- It ostracizes those not in relationships
Valentine’s Day tends to make single people feel as if they are missing out on an integral part of life. I can’t tell you how many times my friends and I have actually been sad that we’ve been single on Valentine’s Day. In fact, several studies suggest that being alone on Valentine’s Day can cause depression in both teens and adults: absolutely ridiculous! Being single is incredibly underrated. Own it, embrace it, and don’t let an irrelevant holiday dictate how you feel about your life and yourself.
- It’s lost its original purpose
The idea of Valentine’s Day is noble in its intention, but society has distorted it and made it something it really shouldn’t be. Instead of focusing on how much you love your significant other (or even family and friends), it has now turned into this gift buying frenzy. We break our banks in attempts to afford fancy dinners, expensive chocolates, overpriced flowers, and ornate jewelry, so much so to a point where we believe that the number and quality of gifts are accurate channels of giving and receiving love. Valentine’s Day should not be as stressful as it is. Spending simple, quality time with your loved ones is the real tool in expressing one’s love for each other.
- It penalizes those in relationships
Valentine’s Day almost has this understood rule that those in relationships need to go all out, otherwise their love isn’t “real” or “validated.” I’ve seen countless instances where partners are pressured to create this “perfect Valentine’s day” from the moment they wake up to the moment they sleep: breakfast in bed with a side of orange juice and dozens of overpriced roses to an extravagant 5-course dinner at the most expensive French restaurant in town made even more exquisite (if possible) with the exchange of diamond earrings for her and a TAG watch for him. If you don’t do anything of the sort, your relationship and love for the other is questioned by the rest of the world. When in a relationship, Valentine’s Day should not be the only day you express love for one another. Every, single day should be a Valentine’s Day. Show each other you care and love each other every day. No fancy dinner or diamond ring can substitute a simple “I love you” every day before you leave for school or work. It really is the little things that matter the most.
With all that being said, I don’t mean that it’s wrong to buy expensive presents and go to costly dinners on Valentine’s Day. Just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. If you feel stressed or pressured to do so, you’re doing it all wrong. You’ve got to want to do it, that’s when you know it’s real. And don’t feel bad if you don’t have a valentine either. Spend it with the most important person in your life: yourself. Treat yourself to a day full of your favorite things and fall in love with yourself. Once you do that, the right person is sure to come along. So whether you’re single, taken, or in a situation where “it’s complicated,” I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day full of happiness and love and nothing less.
