With Valentine’s Day coming up, I am anticipating the influx of shared articles titled something like “X Reasons Why You Don’t Need a Date This Valentine’s Day” or “Why Valentine’s Day is Overrated.”

I support these articles, and believe that you should read them to feel empowered... Or, maybe you just want a good list of movies you can binge watch on your couch. Either way, these authors are right, you don’t NEED a date this Valentine’s, the holiday CAN be overrated sometimes.

Here is what I feel these “articles” fail to point out: it’s okay to feel lonely.

We put a lot of emphasis on being strong, overcoming feelings of sadness, being the kind of person who doesn’t need anyone else—and while those can be admirable qualities to embrace, where is the article for those people who can admit they would like to dress up and be taken out to a nice restaurant, or get a teddy bear from someone you love?

I’m hoping this can be the one for you. It seems as if we not only glorify being independent, but view the natural tendency for humans to want companionship as a weakness that we should hide. Human beings are social creatures who naturally want to be in fellowship with other humans; admitting you feel lonely during this holiday that celebrates company and companionship doesn’t make you weak: it makes you human.

I have a very cliché Valentine’s Day horror story which made me feel very lonely, and it would be absolutely absurd for me to say that it didn’t make it that much worse that it happened on February 14, because it did. Why?

Being lonely on February 13 hurts. It hurts on February 15 as well. But, on February 14? You feel a heightened sense of that loneliness like you may not have felt before or on a different day in that sameness week.

I believe going out and buying candy for yourself is a wonderful form of personal therapy. But, I believe you should use it as a form of liberation from this idolized figure of an independent person who doesn't need a valentine. Self-love is important, and in that sense, should be celebrated yet, maybe the self-love we should practice this Valentine’s Day should be de-criminalizing feelings of loneliness. In fact, I would argue that accepting those feelings helps put into perspective the idea that those feelings are temporary.

So, for this Valentine’s Day take the time to differentiate between want and need. Welcome the difference, understanding that you are strong because you don’t need someone to spend this day with, AND you are strong because you want someone to share the chocolates with (if only because food tastes better shared).

Remember, it's just one of those days.