By Faith Castan guest writer
February 14th is a day that love is in the air, couples can shout their love by gestures and get replies of jealousy. It’s also the only holiday that people can feel alone and excluded from society, but that can all change by embracing the day and focus on how single can be a whole lot of fun too. Society has pushed us to believe if we don’t have a significant other we can’t be happy on Valentine’s Day, which is a lie.
Valentine’s is a day of love, not a day to sit around and feel sorry about yourself for not having that ‘fairytale romance’, so stop waiting for the one, grab a friend and seize the day. Spending the day with friends can make the holiday special and relaxing. You’re not dealing with the pressure couples go through to make everything perfect while worried about disappointment. Couples don’t have the choice to skip over February 14th even if they hate it. They have to power through, spending all their money on tangible things that will mostly end up in the trash eventually, guys have to sit and watch romantic comedies wishing it can be over, girls have to swallow their disappointment when given a keychain than a Kendra Scott. That’s why spending Valentine’s Day with friends is more stressed free not having to mask your feelings with your significant other. Galentines can be an excuse to spoil each other and show how much you both care, or even relax and have a chill hang out . Show each other off, and let everyone see it’s okay to not be part of the stereotype. If it’s being with your soulmate or being with your best friend both loves can be unconditionally and should be celebrated.
Single on Valentines can also be a reminder to appreciate yourself. While others are focusing on their girlfriends/boyfriends you can have some you time. It can be a day all about you. Treat yourself , want to throw your money on clothes? Do it. Want to have two dinners for you and yourself? Do it. Want to eat junk food all day and watch netflix? Just do it. Want to buy stuffed bears and chocolates after Valentine’s Day when everything is half off? Trust me no judgment here.
You can never go wrong by spending the day with the most important person in your life: you. It might sound lame, but embracing self love is the most important love to have. When you’re filled with love you won’t be walking around with that burning jealousy whenever you see a couple or the pressure of not having someone, you’ll feel complete. Valentine’s is not a day to feel ashamed, but to love being single.
Even if half the world is excited and the other half is downhearted February 14 is just another day. You can choose to walk confident of who you are, not caring the lovey dovey faces in every corner or pity yourself which will lead to nothing. Just remind yourself that the greatest love is the one within and how can you not believe that if Whitney Houston said it. Don’t let the day go by without expressing some kind of love and feeling that happiness that comes with it.