Valentine’s Day, you either love it or hate it. Some people use the day to shower their partners with candy and stuffed animals that will inevitably get thrown away or shoved in the backs of closets, while others wait for the sweet, sweet joy of February 15th’s discounted chocolate aisle. No matter how you feel about the day, all the commercialization and non-stop pressure to make Cupid proud, has made many people despise a day that is supposed to be all about love.
Personally, it is one of my favorite holidays; it always has been, even if I was in a relationship or not. That is why it upsets me when so many people wish the calendar would just skip the day altogether. I completely understand why people feel the way they do, but I’m here to defend this day and explain why it can be so great.
As much as the jewelry commercials and florists make you want to believe, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romantic love. This day can be a reminder to love ourselves and those around us a little extra. Most holidays have looked different this past year, with this Valentine’s being no exception. So instead of waiting for reservations or trying to find the perfect card, spend some time showering yourself or your “quaran-team” with love for the day.
Showing yourself love can be as simple as practicing the self-care you would normally do, but going a little above and beyond. The best thing about self-care is that it’s whatever YOU like and is personal. For some, self-care could be an artistic hobby like painting or writing, while others like to cook themselves a nice dinner and curl up on the couch to an old film. Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday this year makes it even easier to take the day to yourself and take your mind away from everything else for a moment.
For myself and many others, making other people smile or bringing them joy makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside as well. Sharing love with others can be one of the best ways to remind ourselves that this day is about love in all forms and that love is all around us. You could even buy an extra treat for your pet or plan a Zoom dinner with some old friends. Text someone, you’ve been meaning to for a while, and let them know you were thinking about them. We all know how good it feels to be the recipient of a random act of kindness, and it feels even better to be the giver.
So if you were a Valentine’s hater before reading this, I hope maybe this will change your mind a bit. It’s a day where we all can sit back and remember that there is good still out there and so much love to give. Happy Valentine’s Day!
