Whether your Valentine's Day plans include spending the day with your significant other or with your family, the day is essentially overrated. It's not only terrible for those who are single, but for those who aren't as well. For a single person, the day can be a disappointing reminder that they don't have a significant other. We've all been there, it isn't fun. But something that doesn't cross the mind of most people is that it is equally as sucky for those who are in relationships.
At least those who are single can choose to ignore the day. If you're in a relationship, the last thing you want to do is ignore Valentine's Day. We've all been there, too. While the day may have started out as a holiday intended to bring couples closer together, it has been transformed into a commercial holiday giving florists, card companies, jewelry stores, and makers of stuffed animals exceedingly high amounts of revenue.
My issue isn't with being romantic or expressing your feelings to the person you love. My problem is with feeling "required" to do so on February 14th. Why is this day so different than the remaining 364, sometimes 365? This date has zero connection to any of us. each year, we are "commanded" to be romantic. In my opinion, romance should be genuine.
I understand that Valentine's Day sincerely tries to bring couples closer together, but how many of you have had fights on Valentine's Day? How many of those have been because of Valentine's Day?
Whether your significant other bought too much and you not enough or vice versa, whether one of you felt obligated to give the other gifts while one of you didn't see the point, it doesn't matter. How can a holiday that claims it's purpose is to bring couples together, tear them apart in the process. To me, it's an artificial day that's absurdly over-commercialized.
Why should couples believe that February 14th is the only day they can show their love for one another?
In fact, I don't need or want Valentine's Day. I am shown how much I'm appreciated and loved on a daily basis, which is how it should be. One shouldn't feel added pressure to get the best gift possible, when simply spending time watching a cheesy romantic comedy throwing popcorn at each other should be enough. Valentine's Day isn't a big deal to me. Every day is filled with love; I don't need a "holiday" to make a special statement. It's honestly a little odd.
Valentine's Day doesn't mean anything at all except for the meaning we give it. The people who get the strongest reaction from it, good or bad, are the people who value the day the most. If couples need a big gift so their partner can prove their love, they will be the most upset if the plan doesn't follow through. It could ultimately be the cause of distress in the relationship.
Single or coupled, Valentine's Day seems to cause more problems than happiness.
Don't use it as a way to rate your personal worth or question the commitment of your partner. It's simply just another day. You deserve someone who will treat you like it's Valentine's Day every single day, not just once a year. I'll take a random gift from my boyfriend over some pre-packed gift he felt obligated to get me on Valentine's Day.
Remember: It's not a big deal. Being alone doesn't mean you're going to be lonely forever, it just means the right person hasn't come along yet. It's one less day you'll have to go through without them. Keep your chin up, head held high, and glass half full. You'll find a love that you want to celebrate every day of the year, not just on February 14th.
