Valentine’s Day is here again: a dreaded day for many people every year. This pointless holiday is often celebrated several days in advance. I do not understand, however, because whether you are single or in a relationship, Valentine’s Day is the worst.
Societally, there seems to be a script of how to celebrate this day: cards, flowers, candies, dinner, gifts, and quality time. Expectations are set high to achieve this picture-perfect day and I’m sure more people are let down every year rather than pleased. It has become a weird competition to see what couple loves each other the most.
Rather than this day being about genuine love and thought within a relationship, it is arguably the same for everyone who celebrates. The typical gifts that have been historically given on this day are the least thoughtful thing you could ever purchase for someone. Did your significant other genuinely think you would like those roses or were they just purchased because that is what seems right to do? Could your significant other not think outside of that tiny box of chocolates? Granted, they could give you nothing at all, but everyone around the world is getting the same gifts as you.
I am a firm believer that there shouldn’t be just one day dedicated to love. It is more special to show you care about someone in little ways throughout the year rather than one massive gesture a year. It doesn’t have to be just with a partner, but showing the people in your life that you care about them is so important.
On this day, suddenly love has a price tag. Many people drop money to tell their partner they love them. The average person will spend $146 this Valentine’s Day. People are gifted candy galore, flowers, jewelry, and even treated to fancy dinners.
Valentine’s Day has never been promoted as a day for self-love, only love for other people. In order to be in a healthy relationship, one must love themselves first. Valentine’s Day should encourage the singles to take care of themselves. Instead, singles are hard on themselves for spend the day alone.
Overall, there is nothing special about Valentine’s Day. If you celebrate this day, the sad fact is that millions of other people’s day probably entailed the same events. Instead, Galentine’s Day is a holiday that I can get more on board with.