Happy (Anti)Valentine’s Day
How to Survive Valentine’s Day When You Hate It
Valentine’s Day is yucky.
There, I said it. And I’m not alone. According to a recent survey, more than 40% of Americans don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, on various grounds. And many of them actively dislike it. If you’re one of the naysayers, this post is for you.
Why do we hate Valentine’s Day so much?
Is it because we’re lonely, not a romantic, or just want to save money for a better cause? Or maybe we’re just smart, realistic, and independent.
Valentine’s Day is a consumerist scam
We know that Valentine’s Day is nothing but a commercialized, superficial, and unrealistic celebration of love that only benefits retailers, the media, and couples who want to rub their happiness in our faces.
We know that love is not something that can be expressed or measured by flowers, chocolates, cards, gifts, romantic dinners, etc. Okay, don’t shoot the messenger…let’s balance a bit the stand and say that these are not necessary and/or not sufficient when we speak about true genuine love.
Why should we force, schedule, and manipulate love? (yeah, yeah, I know you need to put some intentionality there, but you get the idea).
So, are you a proud anti-Valentine? Keep being if this is what you feel!
I’m with you. I’m gonna give you some tips on how to cope with the pressure that comes with this dreadful holiday, even when you are an anti-Valentine.
What about some alternative ways to celebrate February 14th that are more meaningful, enjoyable, and satisfying than any cliched cringy cheesy acts?
Don’t get me wrong, I love romantic gestures when they are authentic and shared by both partners. But you cannot have love and lies in one sentence. And Valentine’s Day is a lie to some extent.
Escape the danger zone
Now that you know why Valentine’s Day is the worst, here are some simple and effective ways to survive Valentine’s Day when you hate it:
- Avoid social media. Trust me, you don’t need to see the endless posts of couples showing off their love, gifts, and plans for the day. It will only make you feel worse, and possibly tempt you to post something snarky or bitter in response. Do yourself a favor and stay away from Facebook, Instagram, X, and any other platform that might trigger you. You can always catch up later, when the Valentine’s Day frenzy is over.
- Treat yourself. Who says you need someone else to spoil you on Valentine’s Day? You can be your own Valentine, and pamper yourself with whatever makes you happy. Order your favorite food, watch your favorite movie, buy yourself something nice, or take that spa day, that’s all you need. It may sound weird, but ultimately, self-love is the best love.
- Hang out with your friends. You’re not the only one who hates Valentine’s Day, so why not join forces with your fellow anti-Valentines and have some fun together? Take a game night, a movie marathon, or a karaoke session, add all the vent, rant, or joke about Valentine’s Day, and you’ll have a blast.
- Ignore the haters. Some people will judge you, pity you, or try to convince you that you’re missing out on something by hating Valentine’s Day. Don’t let them corner you. You have every right to feel how you feel, and you don’t need to explain or justify yourself to anyone. Just smile and elegantly change the topic. Or better yet, avoid them altogether.
- Last but not least, hang in there, it’s just one day. Valentine’s Day might seem like a big deal, but it’s really not. It’s just one day out of 365, and it will be over before you know it. Don’t let it ruin your mood. You have so much more to get or to offer, than a cheesy card or a box of chocolates. You are amazing, and you don’t need Valentine’s Day to prove it.
The last hurrah
So there we are. Valentine’s Day is overrated and oversold, and you don’t need to celebrate it if you don’t want to. You can be happy without a partner. You can show love and appreciation to yourself and others in other ways and/or any day of the year.
What do you think? Agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments section, and don’t forget to share this post with your fellow anti-Valentine’s Day friends.
Ways to win my heart on (Anti)Valentine’s Day ❤
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