To most people Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating your relationship and showing your partner how much you love them, but this idea is deeply flawed. Not only are people focusing only on themselves and what their partner is getting them, they also aren’t spending any time with the other people who love them. For single people this holiday is a nightmare as well. With the whole holiday being based around couples, being constantly reminded of not being in a relationship can be torture. Also, if Valentine’s Day wasn’t bad enough already, companies have hijacked it completely. Who says that you have to get your partner a gift? Nobody. This Valentine’s Day should be a day of self reflection and love, but not the small gift kind, no, do something that matters. Do something memorable, not something they’ll forget in a week or two. Let’s look at arguably the most important item on this list, the selfishness of Valentine’s Day. If you are in a relationship, most likely you are celebrating Valentine’s Day this year. And if you aren’t then, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you want your partner to get you gifts and show you how much they love you? That is exactly what’s wrong with Valentine’s Day. Everyone is waiting for their partner to get them something, and if it isn’t as thoughtful or as expensive as they want it to be, then they may think you love them less. As if these small gestures are the only things that matter in a relationship. Instead, show your partner how much you love them by doing something important. Do they love this band that’s having a concert soon? Get them tickets. I can guarantee they’ll never forget the memories you make at the concert, while they will forget the chocolates and flowers you’ve gotten them every year in the past. So, this Valentine’s Day, focus on the things that matter, instead of how many gifts your partner gives you. Are you single this Valentine’s Day? Is it horrible having to see all the cute couples and hundreds of advertisements for every single thing even remotely related to Valentine’s Day? It’s hard being single on one of the most couple focused days of the year. This time, instead of focusing on why you’re single and why you need someone, try to focus more on yourself. Take a self care day. Treat yourself. Have a fun day to yourself, instead of complaining about things you don’t have. Try spending time with the other people who love you. Tell your mom you love her. It will make her day, and make you feel so much better. Who needs a partner when you have people who love you unconditionally anyway. Before Valentine’s Day was ruined, companies and corporations decided to speed up the process. They helped spread the message that you need to get your partner gifts and flowers. Why, you may ask, it’s because they can profit off it. They create a sense of need, and then consumers gobble it up. They’re the ones to tell you that of course you need to get your partner a gift, and while you’re at it, why don’t you get that expensive necklace too. These people are mercilessly promoting this holiday and all of the unnecessary bells and whistles just to earn more monkey. If you see even more outrageous and expensive Valentine’s Day gifts this season, know they’re not worth it. Nobody’s worth should be judged by what they buy for you. This Valentine’s Day season, don’t go to Walmart to buy cheap chocolate and wilting flowers, instead look for something more personal. It doesn’t even have to cost money. A reminder of a favorite memory or making a new memory together can be just as important. Looking back, Valentine’s Day was bad, but it can be improved. Spend more time with your partner, and look to give more meaningful gifts, if any at all. Try to remember that Valentine’s Day should be about love, not gifts or money.
Disclaimer:
These are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the Paw Print or Greenwood.