The day of love is what you make it
Valentine’s Day is a whole day dedicated to celebrating feelings of love and affection for those around you.
It seems hard to hate on the holiday when you break it down to its simplest , yet many people exist who can find ways to bash on Cupid’s holiday. Some say it’s too commercialized, an unnecessary waste of money, or makes single people feel even lonelier. I disagree. Instead of focusing on negatives, we should be embracing the opportunity to love and be loved, whatever that means to you.
Even if you’re spending the holiday single, that doesn’t mean it’s not for you. It’s possible to still embrace the idea of love on Valentine’s Day even if it’s not directed specifically at a partner, whether that be through your friends, family, or even—and especially—yourself.
Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to display the notion of love openly, and there’s nothing overrated about that idea. Don’t think about the holiday as an occasion that’s forcing you to buy flowers, chocolates, and gifts, but instead think of it as an excuse to show affection through gift giving.
It’s also an opportunity to spend time with those you love, no matter what that looks like. A romantic dinner with a partner can be just as fulfilling as a baking heart shaped cookies with your friends, so don’t let the holiday’s stereotypical relationship focus prevent you from finding ways to celebrate love.
Being pessimistic about Valentine’s Day won’t bring you any closer to finding peace and love, so why not embrace it.
—Shae Soeterik, Contributor
I’d prefer to wait for St. Patrick’s Day
Valentine’s Day is the most overrated holiday ever.
It’s controversial, I know. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy walking down the aisles and looking at the cute stuffed animals that’ll end up under someone’s bed for the rest of the year, and overpriced chocolate brands in pink and red wrapping just as much as the next person. But if it takes a holiday to show your appreciation for your significant other than you need to do better.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—I must not have anyone to spend it with. Maybe that helps prove my point since the holiday targets a particular audience, another one of its faults. Single people are stuck at home feeling upset over a holiday intended for the economic growth of florists, retailers, restaurants, and Ben and Jerry’s.
On top of this, there’s a pressure on the situationships of the world to decide whether or not they’re doing something for Valentine’s Day. This makes things awkward, adding pressure around having a date. For the sake of your situationship, let’s stick to pretending Valentines Day isn’t coming up so you can save your money, and no one has to feel bad about being someone’s Valentine.
So yes, I am single, but overall, Valentine’s Day is an entirely overrated holiday, and I’m looking forward to St Patrick’s Day instead.
—Ireland Larouche, Contributor
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