Every year, as Feb. 14 approaches, the colors red and pink emerge wherever you go. Chocolate, flowers and oversized teddy bears fly off the shelves of every store. For some people in happy, or even not-so-happy, relationships, they like to enjoy each other and an overpriced meal at their favorite restaurant. For others, it’s a chilling reminder of how single you are and how you have been for a long time and will forever be.
Having had my fair share of romantic Valentine’s Days and few more lonely ones, I can understand why some people hope for some secret crush to come out of the woodworks and confess their love right before this dreaded holiday. But I’m here to tell you, Valentine’s Day is not it’s all cracked up to be. Once you flip your perception of Valentine’s Day, you can enjoy it regardless of your Facebook relationship status.
In order to give your V-day a complete 180, you have to change your object of affection. Before you love anyone, you have to love yourself right? Do things that you love! Go to the gym, watch movies, eat your favorite snacks, do what you like! It’s your day and there’s nothing wrong with that! Make Valentine’s Day yours.
With Valentine’s Day romances emerging, so are the sales. Take advantage of the discounted chocolate and flowers. If you want prices to drop even lower, wait until the day after Valentine’s Day to get all of your favorite treats for dirt cheap. The little heart-shaped boxes don’t change the taste of the candy, and how often can you get so many different filled chocolates together for such a great price?
Netflix can also be such a wonderful company on a solo night, so why is Valentine’s Day any different? Grab a few of your single friends and a giant tub of ice cream and enjoy a movie night. You can watch a bunch of romantic comedies that remind you of how single you are (if that’s what you’re into) or you could just watch things blow up. Whatever floats your boat.
My final tip for making this Valentine’s Day one for the record is to not care! Stop paying attention to every supposedly functional couple who posts a picture on Instagram. No relationship is perfect, and if you’re just looking for one to satisfy social standard of this non-holiday, then you definitely won’t have a perfect relationship. Give the universe some time to pick you out someone perfect, and don’t think just because it’s Feb. 14, that you need to find the love of your life and go out to a restaurant you hate because it’s dimly lit and serves a slice of chocolate cake with one spoon.
Enjoy the single life because these are the times that we will cherish for the rest of our lives, and if you are in a relationship, there’s no need to complicate it. Have fun with your significant other, even if it means cuddling and watching some cheesy movies.
Reach the columnist at ybrewste@asu.edu or follow @jbrewzki on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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