Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romance — it’s a reminder for us all to tell each other we care.
At its core, Valentine’s Day is a reminder of what many of us need: to tell our family and friends that we love them. However, in the eyes of many the holiday has become focused only on romantic relationships (or worse: a lack thereof).
Because of this, Valentine’s Day has earned a reputation, especially within the single community, as a terrible holiday. Although there are some interesting theories, like one saying Hallmark invented Valentine’s Day to sell more cards, most of the hate comes in the form of pressure to find a Valentine to celebrate with.
The thing is, you don’t need a romantic partner to make the best of the love-filled holiday. Valentine’s Day isn’t reserved for just romantic love, but can encompass platonic and familial love too. The best way to celebrate the day of love is by gathering anyone you love, whether it be friends or family, and putting a little effort into showing how much you cherish them.
Or, better yet, set the day aside for some well deserved self-love. Putting on a face-mask, putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” and turning on that show you’ve been meaning to watch checks every Valentine’s Day box in the book. V-Day serves as a chance to remember our love for ourselves as much as we do for others.
Many Valentine’s critics say it’s just another excuse for stores to make a quick buck through candy, chocolate and flowers. But at the end of the day, no one is telling you that you need to buy an expensive box of chocolates or a horse-drawn carriage ride for two. Instead, consider the true gift of Valentine’s Day: a reminder to express your love.
Think about what your partner, friends and family would really enjoy and share your love in that way. It doesn’t even need to be something bought — picking up an extra chore could be the perfect present for your roommate. A loving text message could be all your mom wants.
When was the last time you told your best friend you appreciate them? When was the last time you gave a heartfelt thanks to your bus driver? Let this holiday remind you that the people you care about can’t just read your mind and realize you care about them.
Valentine’s deserves to be a holiday because of its dedication to love and empathy, something we could all use more of in our lives. Especially in a world that has become more and more digital, we could all use the reminder to earn some human connection by telling each other we care.
This February 14, instead of wishing Valentine’s Day never existed, spend some time telling the people around you that you appreciate them. You’ll always end up having a happier holiday by doing exactly what Valentine’s Day is meant for: spreading love.
Edited by Jacob Richey, jrichey@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Lauren Courtney