Valentine's day in my experience has been a race to find a valentine and trying not to get caught up in the nostalgia-based around this day. I soon realized that there's really no point to this and that it's mostly built around materialistic and capitalist views.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for a romantic gesture for my girlfriend but I don't like or enjoy the pressure this day brings to make this gesture happen. My girlfriend recently came to me with pictures of flowers and candy she got last year for Valentine's Day and then asks me what I will be getting for her this. I know I've said that I've never gotten anything for anyone on before during this day but I will definitely be getting my girlfriend flowers. I will do so on my own terms not because it's Valentine's Day but it's to show her how much I appreciate her and care for her.

Let me start from the beginning of my dislike of this day, since grade school we have been given this idea of giving and receiving valentines day cards for your crush or significant other or your friends in the class. What bothered me from all of this was that some people didn't receive cards from other people so teachers made this rule to ensure no one was left feeling alone, but I soon realized that when this happened, I felt pity; and at the end of the day, I felt worse about how it would've been with just receiving a couple of cards from my actual friends.

I know it's not a big deal not to have a valentine now, but it was a long journey to learn that simple matter. All of this is linked to me learning that a lot of things people make a big deal about is pretty much no big deal. People make a big fuss about the smallest things and some may think I'm just senseless or I'm not being considerate but these things that are made out to be the most important when they really aren't can cause psychological damage to someone. Not to get into a rant about what to worry about and how what you worry about affects your mental health is necessarily bad in this case, but Valentine's Day and all of its nostalgia has pinned me into liking most everything it's been set out to be here the states. Perhaps originally this holiday or special day was first perceived to be a time to spend with your special someone and show like any other day how much you care for them.

In the end, I try not to think about my issues with this day and focus on the cheap chocolate the next day and trying to get a Starbucks special drink that's available at the time. I'm looking forward to spending quality time with my partner and doing it in our own way.