Every Valentine’s Day, the mounting pressure of finding someone to be with on *the big day* ruins the mindset of people who were completely unconcerned with their relationship status the month before.
V-Day never fails to make the singles feel uncomfortable and inadequate, solely because no one is buying them candy from Walmart’s clearance isle. It even makes couples feel compelled to splurge on gifts and unnecessary romantic gestures just because it’s the V-Day social norm.
So why do people stress about an unnecessary holiday that’s perpetuated by some big name cardstock corporation? Because that’s what you’ve always done? Because mainstream media won’t let you forget that it’s coming up? Because every year your parents made you write “Happy [freaking] Valentine’s Day!” on a hundred of those little individual cards with tattoos in them?
Well guess what: you can stop now. Stop feeling inadequate, stop buying cards from Hallmark, stop letting the media tell you how you should feel and stop thinking that if you can’t find a warm body this V-Day, you’ll always be alone.
Take some time this Valentine’s Day to appreciate the people you do have and all the resources around you. Phone up all your friends and invite them to participate in these five events (on and off campus) happening on the 14th.
1. A Star is Born at the Reel
One of the biggest must sees of 2018, A Star Is Born, is coming to campus — starting on the dreaded day itself, February 14, and is lasting through the weekend in Temple’s Reel Cinema. The theater, located in the Underground of the Student Center, has housed many classics and new releases, and is the perfect place to relax after a long day of classes. The Reel offers different evening showtimes and you can get cheaper tickets when you bring your student ID. The best part: it’s highly unlikely that any lovey-dovey couples will be making out in the Reel on V-Day.
2. Ice Skating
If you prefer to get off campus and see some of the city, a fun and active option is going to the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing. With the end of winter quickly approaching, Philly’s RiverRink is scheduled to shut down soon, so it’s time to take advantage of this relatively cheap and seasonal opportunity. The RiverRink has open ice skating times pretty much daily, including on February 14, so visit while you can. Even you’re bad at ice skating, falling on your ass won’t hurt nearly as much as eating chocolates in bed while ugly crying to The Notebook.
3. Group fitness class
Maybe this V-Day will be the day you finally commit to that life-changing workout plan. If so, consider starting by taking a group fitness class at Temple’s IBC Recreation Center. There are so many different classes that are offered every day, such as cycling, yoga, Zumba and more — all of which are free for current Temple students. Put down the box of chocolates you bought yourself, gather all your single gals and kick some butt in Zumba class. Check out Temple’s Campus Recreation website page for upcoming classes — it’s as easy as that.
4. Jazz performance
Another option is “The Rite of Swing Jazz Cafe,” a jazz performance in the main lobby of Temple’s Performing Arts Center this upcoming Thursday. It’s a great opportunity to hear what Temple’s Boyer students and faculty have been working on, as well enjoy a performance from local jazz musicians — for FREE.
5. Explore the city
If you weren’t excited by any of those options, you and your friends may want to consider going on an off-campus trip to explore all Philly has to offer. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens in South Philly is a unique way to spend a couple hours after class. If you have never heard of it, the Magic Gardens is pretty much a block’s worth of outdoor mosaics and folk art pieces created and founded by artist Isaiah Zagar in the 1990’s. Forget a bouquet of flowers — nothing can compare to the beauty of the Magic Gardens. The art musuem is another great option.
This year, you don’t have to be a total cliché on Valentine’s Day. Grab your best gals, blast Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” and check out one of these alternative V-Day events. Try something new this year and spend this V-Day doing something besides contemplating if you’re actually going to die alone — you might be surprised by how much fun you actually have.