This year, my partner and I decided to boycott Valentine’s Day. I know what you’re thinking: “how do you just… skip Valentine’s Day?” While the answer isn’t an easy one, we found a few reasons that it made sense for us and our relationship to boycott and skip V-Day. This may not be for everyone and that’s okay! However, if you’re interested, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned. With Valentine’s Day closely approaching, here are my tips for how my partner and I have boycotted Valentine’s Day.
- Don’t go shopping unless you must
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s important to start simple. Avoid going shopping unless you have to. If you’re out of an essential food item, please, go buy that milk. But you don’t want to just go to Target because you’re bored. If you do that, you’ll eventually fall into its trap and wind up buying yourself (or your partner) something.
- Ignore the themed store aisles
When you’re buying that milk, by all means, ignore the themed candy, gifts and hoopla aisles. Don’t even walk near them. Stick to your list. Enter Target like you are on a secret spy mission where you have to get in and out as fast as possible. Only buy the items you need and ignore the hearts and flowers.
- Remember why you’re not participating
For my partner and me, we aren’t participating because we don’t want to (literally) buy into a holiday that holds no greater meaning for us. We can show each other our love in different ways. In addition, we are a long distance couple. Being apart on Valentine’s Day is difficult, so if you don’t celebrate or acknowledge it, it helps ease some of those feelings.
- Gifts don’t always equal love
Finally, gifts don’t always equal love. There are five love languages, and gifts are only one of them. Of course, if your love language is giving and receiving gifts, that is understandable. But for my relationship, we value quality time. I alway keep in mind that just because someone buys you a box of chocolates, doesn’t mean they love you; they will show you their love in more ways and treat you with the love and respect you deserve.
As a final note: if you love Valentines Day and want to celebrate it, go for it! If you’re with us and want to do better about boycotting holidays that play into the capitalist agenda, I hope this helped! Regardless if you’re in a relationship, a “situationship” or single, treat yourself to a day of self-care however you see fit.