(CU Independent illustration/Kelly Kaoudis)
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Grocery stores are stockpiling heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, florists are working overtime to fill orders and Hallmark is seeing a sudden spike in sales—February is here. For some, Valentine’s Day is set aside to appreciate their better halves. For others, Valentine’s Day is one of the most dreaded days of the year.
In the past few years there has been more hatred surrounding Valentine’s Day than love. Instead of being a day that people use to celebrate love, February 14th has morphed into America’s most hated holiday. Hordes of people are counting the days until it’s over.
Too often, people overemphasize the value that Valentine’s Day has, and place too much stress on the romantic aspect of it. This is where the bulk of the disdain for the holiday, sometimes jokingly called, “Singles Awareness Day.”
Every year, there’s a mad rush to find someone to spend Valentine’s Day with. If you don’t, then you’re doomed to be depressed for the rest of the season until the holiday passes. Being single doesn’t mean you have to hate Valentine’s Day, and doesn’t need to be depressing. The simple truth is that Valentine’s Day is only one day out of the year, so all the hype and anxiety surrounding it is unnecessary.
The intention of Valentine’s Day is not to be depressing—in fact it is just the opposite. Just because Hallmark and Hershey may have capitalized on some Valentine traditions, does not mean that the entire point of the holiday is insignificant, or moot. It is a day set aside to celebrate the people who are important in our lives.
You don’t have to be an over-the-top fanatic, but the negative attitude towards Valentine’s Day is counterproductive and overdramatic. For people who wish to celebrate the day of love, they should be able to do so without ridicule or disapproval from anyone. It is a day set aside to celebrate someone truly important in your life, and it ought to be left at that.
For people who don’t have someone to celebrate with, or choose not to for some other reason, the solution is simple: they don’t have to. The anti-Valentine’s crusade has reached unnecessary levels.
However you choose to spend Valentine’s Day this year, it should have a positive feel. Let go of all the anxiety surrounding what to do, what to wear, and who to spend it with.
Valentine’s Day is designated for the important people in your life—whether it is romantic or not. So love the people around you and love yourself.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Taryne Tosetti at Taryne.tosetti@colorado.edu.
