Valentines Day has just passed us leaving all the stereotypical social media posts about your relationship status and corny gifts now on sale in stores. However, as I get older I notice that some people take Valentine's Day to the extreme. By that, I mean constantly obsessing over their significant other.
This not an article where I am bitter that I'm not happy in my relationship or not in a relationship at all. This is a reminder that you are a human with your own life. You have your own friends, your own dreams, and, yeah, some of those may coincide with your significant other, but they don't have to be.
You do not need to have that person by your side at every second of the day. I know it's cute to want to be there but you really are not required to do that. You can go out to dinner with your friends while he/she stays home and that's perfectly fine. You join a club or go to an event without your lover and that is also FINE.
And when you do go out without your significant other, do not be glued to your phone the entire time. That is ignorant to the people you are with or the professor of the class you are in. If you can survive whatever amount of years before you met he/she, you can be off your phone for an hour or so. Occasional checks for messages are fine but do not be obsessively checking your phone.
Also, if you flake on your closest friends to hang out with your significant other, they have the right to return the favor. I understand if it is an emergency or you never get to see your significant other and you finally get the chance you want to go, BUT if you literally saw him/her yesterday on your regular routine and you just want to chill and watch a movie with them, sorry but that's kind of rude.
Remember your friends when you get into a relationship because they will have your back no matter what unless you start treating them like garbage. You don't need to be obsess over your boyfriend/girlfriend/ spouse/ etc. It's cute to care but to an extent. Having your own life is a healthy chance to express yourself and it's not a requirement to have him/her by your side while you're living it.
