So, you’re single and it’s Valentine’s Day? A tale as old as time.
It’s a reality for most people and yet a certain negative connotation still lingers. I think this comes from a combination of antiquated societal norms and propaganda spouted through television and movies. I would even wager to say that the very fact of being single on Valentine’s Day can be viewed as a protest against the capitalist patriarchal system that has a hold on our society—but that’s something for another time. As of right now, we are concerned with dealing with the feeling of “loneliness” that manages to creep on even the most secure people during this time of ‘love.’
So, as I sat here drinking an undisclosed drink, I began to create some of the main reasons, some more serious than others, why you shouldn’t be sad about your voluntary (or involuntary) Bachelor status on Valentine’s day.
1. Well, first of all, we are amid a global pandemic…
…whose end can barely be seen on the horizon. One could say that we have bigger things to worry about than a love interest. This pandemic has made us more isolated from the people around us. It has put a hindrance on the dating scene as more people are hesitant about meeting up with people that they are not already quarantining with. However, there are still resources and apps such as Tinder or Bumble that allow for remote communication to continue to get to know people. While the pandemic has made us physically isolated, it has also enabled us to further depend on the technology that we created to help us. If online dating isn’t really your scene, one thing that I would recommend is leaning into its pure absurdity a bit more. Treating something like a game can help incentivize your participation. I recently signed up for a speeding dating event on zoom that is sponsored through Florida State University. While I do not necessarily believe that I will meet the love of my life through this event, it is definitely going to help spice up my love life in a way that I find funny and entertaining.
2. The origins of Valentine’s Day are questionable.
Its origins have been traced back to Emperor Claudius II who executed two men—both named Valentine—on Feb. 14 of different years in the third century A.D. While the real origins of Valentine’s Day are gruesome, other theories of its start also ring dreary. We have always seen the commodification of holidays as a breeding ground for merchandise and profit—Valentine’s Day is no exception. Since it’s so heavily associated with material items, one can forget about the supposed intended message behind the day. Who would want to celebrate a day that has such awful and convoluted roots?
3. The candy.
4. Galentine’s Day is infinitely better.
While many claim Valentine’s Day to be a day about general love, there will always be the underlying theme of relationships. Therefore, we have seen in recent years the popularization of the holiday Galentine’s Day. It’s held on the 13th of February and is dedicated to the friends that we have in life, and the holiday is simply about appreciating and spending time with them. I have found this holiday to be more inclusive and overall, less toxic as it encourages a healthier message about love that is not necessarily tied to lust or romance. Take this holiday to express all of the celebrations you would’ve used for Valentine’s Day, as it will make your time and your friends’ time much more worthwhile.
Valentine’s Day is an odd and tense time in the year. Even with dealing with this pandemic we still feel this certain pressure to do something special or to have a valentine. Even if we do not necessarily care for the holiday, it still serves as a reminder of our relationship status. However, that will not be the reason that we are sad this time around. Valentine’s Day has a questionable history and even place in our current history as we are maneuvering through a pandemic. There are still ways to potentially reach out to people with Tinder or Bumble, or even speed dating but even if that fails, there’s always Galentine’s Day.
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