Listen, I'm not saying Valentines Day isn't nice. I'm sure it's great.
However, this article has nothing to do with the fact that I've spent the last 18 years of my life single on Valentines Day. Even when I've had boyfriends, we just never quite made it to the big day, and I have grown accustomed to eating pizza alone in my room while watching lovey-dovey movies that will turn me into more of a hopeless romantic than I already am.
I'm talking about the fact that we, as humans, use Valentines Day as a "one day pass" to show our love. What makes the 14th so special? Why can't I love my boyfriend on the 6th of March?
I might even go so far as to say that men LOVE to use this day as a way to say they love you and then go on to say "I already said I love you on Valentine's Day… what do you mean I have to say it again?" There's nothing romantic about having to practically force someone to say those three words.
Regardless, this day shouldn't be the only day you deem it fit to tell someone you love them. Every day is a good time. It's time to stop putting so much emphasis on Valentines Day, and stop expecting so much, especially when it's just any other day. Your significant other should love you every day, period.
Being showered with materialistic gifts is nice, but I prefer plain affection.
Call me old fashioned, but I much rather prefer respect and loyalty in a relationship instead of receiving materialistic gifts that will only suffice for a day until I want more than that. I think that nowadays, the idea of receiving a big stuffed teddy bear and a box of chocolates is played out.
If you're going to do something for your significant other, try treating them with the utmost respect, actually listening to their problems, and not make empty promises that lead to nothing. We place so much emphasis on material items on Valentines Day that we even forget it's a day to show love.
The bigger the gift does not equal a better relationship.
I need to shout this one a little louder for the people in the back.
Your relationship should not be defined by cheesy Instagram posts, expensive jewelry, and giant stuffed teddy bears because most of the time, couples like that are the least happy. Trying to put on a show for social media is like trying to prove to everyone that your relationship is something it isn't.
I understand that you can't really post arguments on Instagram, but realize that not everything is what it seems. I have fallen victim to posting glorified pictures of my relationships on Instagram, even when I wasn't very happy at all.
Gifts should not make up for relationship problems. And if it does, you need to reevaluate what you and your significant other are actually trying to prove.
Although the movies portray Valentines Day as one big "lovefest", that's not necessarily true.
Your crush probably isn't going to declare his love for you in front of the entire school, your boyfriend probably won't magically decide to propose to you in the most extravagant way, and your ex probably isn't going to beg for you back. Let's keep it real here for one second. Valentines Day has been portrayed in the movies as one way, but we all know it is something completely different.
You might spend your Valentines Day with your best girlfriends, or even with your mom. This day doesn't have to be defined by grand gestures of affection to mean anything. Nowadays, social media has painted this day very differently, however, I think you should love your significant other, friends, and family every day of the year.
But then again, don't mind me. I may just be a bitter single girl.
