Another Valentine’s Day is here and maybe you are looking at all the couples, all the sappy Facebook posts and your friend’s texting their significant others and thinking “Wow, I hate this.” Maybe you got your Galentines together for a night of mingling where one of the main topics was how much you hate being alone. Or, possibly you spent the night curled up in your bed very likely concussed from hitting your head on the wall while reaching for your phone charger (shout out to myself). But why do we do this?
Valentine’s Day does not have to be about spending time with your boyfriend of 6 years and going out to a fancy dinner where you give each other very expensive gifts that you can totally (barely afford). What’s wrong with it being a night where you put yourself out there and try out a new person. A night of firsts and possibly new love. Can’t it be a night where you spend time with your closest friends and realize how your mutual platonic love for each other sustains you and gets you through life’s daily hardship and heartache. It can even be a night where you find your innermost love for yourself, filing a part of your heart that no boy or friend could ever fill (#thankunext). Maybe you are realizing your adoration for your bosses or coworkers who show you respect and give you opportunities in your employment that give you the opportunity to think and grow. Or, maybe you are coming to the realization of the importance of your family and how they shaped you.
To all my fellow single Valentine’s, if it means anything to you, even if I have never met for you, you are my galentine. Worry not about not about adoration from others determining your self worth on this often dreaded day, instead use it as a way of considering and thinking about the other sources of love or respect in your life and how they make your life better. Even if you feel very alone right now, remember that you are never truly alone. All of us other singles living under the annoying, heteronormative notion that Valentine’s Day is for couples feel for you. Spend the night curled up on the couch watching reruns of campy TV shows tonight. You deserve it!
❤ Kayla
P.S.: For my more cynical readers (Jk I don’t think anyone reads this but my friend and my mom). Did you know that when couple’s celebrate Valentine’s Day, while shrouded in mystery, they might actually be celebrating murder, pedophilia and struggling discrimination? https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2. If this doesn’t make you feel better about not celebrating, then I don’t think anything will.
Young n' Anxious 