8 Realizations You Have During February

As the mainstream holiday season draws to a close, there are several things you're forced to realize as the days get warmer and your exhaustion grows (I don't think I can wait another 10 months until the next Christmas!). When Valentine's Day has come and gone, the winter holiday season is over. What are you supposed to wait for now?

1. Time for Mariah to go back into hibernation...

Though I am a staunch supporter of year-round holiday music, it officially becomes tacky to sing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" in February. Will I still do it? Yes. Will I feel ashamed? .... maybe.

2. Why does night suddenly seem... darker?

It's because the festive decorations and string lights have mostly been taken down. Some towns (like Glassboro!) leave up the lights for a few months, which I'm thankful for. But it makes letting the holidays go all the harder...

3. SALES!

Post-Christmas means that ALL the string lights and bows will be on sale! Post Valentine's means CHEAP CHOCOLATE! What could be better?

4. But wait...

The more sales, the more I buy. The more I buy, the less money I have. So, you could argue that sales are inherently a bad thing, as they take unnecessary money away from you. I mean, I suppose I could be a fiscally responsible adult and turn up my nose at the half-off Ghirardelli Valentine's collection, but let's be real: I will not do that.

5. It's 2017. Like, officially.

No turning back now. January is like the transitional period. It still feels like the prior year, and you're allowed a few mistakes in writing the year. Once February rolls around, however...

It's so crazy to think that it's almost the 20's again. For college kids, that means you've probably lived through FOUR decades. The '90s, the '00s, the '10s, and soon... the '20s. I feel old.

6. The Target Valentine's collection is gone!

NO! I will forever mourn the loss of the pretty pink mugs and sparkly heart decorations. I apologize, Target. I didn't appreciate your special until it was gone. Now I have to wait a full calendar year to get that mug I saw and really liked but forgot to buy.

7. Summer is coming.

For some (most), this is good news. No school! Beach! Pool! Friends! Parties. If you're a fan of winter, it's the worst. Forget "no school", I'd take that over grueling full-time work. "Beach"? "Pool"? Okay, it's 90 degrees, I'm NOT going outside. "Friends"? "Parties"? Lol, more like Instagram-stalking and Netflix binging while desperately avoiding the sun's evil rays.

8. it's almost spring break!

There is one good thing about the holiday season coming to a close. Even though Mardis Gras and Christmas and Halloween are a long ways away, that much-needed week off is approaching. We can get there, folks. I believe in us.