For the past few years on Valentine’s Day, the majority of my newsfeed contained more posts saying “Happy Single Awareness Day” than “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Why is that? It’s the same reason why people get annoyed with couples posting sappy pictures on social media together. People who are single are comparing their single-ness with other people’s relationships. They see a couple looking happy together and immediately remember that they are single and can’t have that romantic feeling with someone else. Sometimes the sappy couple pictures are seen as flaunting your relationship. You’re not a bad person for thinking it or anything like that, as I used to do that all the time.
On Valentine’s Day, all of these happy relationships are thrust into the spotlight, which brings out that “single awareness” that people are referring to. However, romantic relationships are not what Valentine’s Day is all about. According to dictionary.com, Valentine’s Day is: “February 14, observed in honor of St. Valentine as a day for the exchange of valentines and other tokens of affection.” It says nothing about romance! So why shouldn't you celebrate all of the relationships that you have with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day, including those with your family and friends?
Do you remember in elementary school when everyone had valentines for all of the kids in class and everyone felt the love? You can still make this happen. Some of my close friends and I have exchanged small valentines for each other every year and last year, when I was single, I celebrated Valentine’s Day with my little. We got special Valentine’s Day chocolate, gathered a few chick flicks, got some snack food, and ate Taco Bell. It was a fantastic Valentine’s Day. You don’t have to be in a relationship to be happy on this holiday.
This Valentine’s Day, try doing something like calling your parents to them that you love them, giving valentines to the special people in your life, going out to dinner with the people who you love, going do something new with someone who you care about, or celebrating your romantic relationship. All of those things are great to do on a holiday based around “tokens of affection.” Instead of focusing on your single status, focus on all of the other great relationships that you have with your loved ones.
