Upon deep and thorough introspection, I’ve realized in hindsight that I may have been a bit cynical, sassy, and sarcastic about the whole Valentine’s Day situation, and my “plan” to help everyone win Valentine’s Day. Maybe the steps weren’t actually real. Maybe my satire on gender norms was a little too caustic for those perfectly acceptable people who are in relationships for their own enjoyment, not, contrary to my previous belief, just to spite me. Maybe, despite my attempt to smother any genuine emotion by broadcasting my sarcastic thoughts on the internet, I woke up on February 15th in a puddle of my own tears and the wrappers of the wonderful 50-piece Russell Stover box of chocolates I purchased for myself. Maybe. But there’s no point on dwelling on the past.
This article was supposed to be just as biting as the Valentine’s Day Survival Guide. It was going to be witty and sharp, commenting on societal expectations for relationships.
But then I saw my dorm mates having the sweetest, most sincere Valentine’s Day exchange. Roommates spent time picking out specific gifts to make another girl feel loved. They were giggling, and laughing, and didn’t seem to care that they were boy-less on this romance-worshipping day. And suddenly, the satirical side of me melted, and I decided to take a sarcasm break.
In a temporary lapse into sincerity, the following list was compiled. No judgement though; next week I’ll be just as caustic and joking as ever before. Here it is, the 5 reasons you should bring a little more Valentine’s Day into everyday:
1). You got dressed up.
Sometimes, the Rhodes uniform of a sorority tee and Nike shorts can get a bit monotonous – but who really wants to break the trend? Valentine’s Day gave us an excuse to look pretty, even if we weren’t going out to frat row. There’s something nice about dressing up just for the heck of it, and it feels great.
2). You treat yourself.
With the inundation of stress every day, sometimes it’s hard to remember the take time for yourself. Valentine’s Day gave us chocolate, cake, and chick flicks. And we took them with a vengeance. Yet, it shouldn’t take a national holiday to slow down and have a date night – whether it’s with your boyfriend or girlfriends. Take a night once a week to remember that you’re more than just a student trapped in the Barrett library – you’re a real person too!
3). You celebrate love.
Did you find yourself telling everyone, all day, how much you loved them? I did. Any at least half of it was sincere. Love was literally bouncing through the air – well, the word was. And a good vibe was created. There’s no reason those good energies can’t be created everyday; show the love to people who need it, whether the day necessitates it or not.
4). You felt excitement.
Whether it was obsessively checking your campus mailbox, or eagerly getting ready for a date, the energy on campus was tangible. If we were this pumped for every day, how much better would Wednesdays be?
5). You reconsider.
Okay, okay, so there are some setbacks; it is a very emotionally charged day. But sometimes, so introspection can be valuable. Maybe you realize you’ve been selling yourself short. Or spending too many evenings on Netflix. Or are being a little too cynical about a certain romantic holiday. And as painful as self-correction can seem, it’s always for the better. So I’ll start: “Incorporate a little bit of Valentine’s Day everyday!” -Emily Clark