Valentine’s day -which marks the festival of love and affection- can actually turn out to be gloomy for many people. Over the years it has shifted its form, from being an occasion of embracing these emotions to the one where we are constantly pushed to mold ourselves and live up to society’s expectations.With the onset of globalization, the idea of how Valentine’s day should be celebrated has witnessed a dynamic change. From giving cards,chocolates and other gifts to going out on candlelit dinner and even celebrating it for an entire week- it’s all has been seen. These things have become so ingrained in our society that without them, an emotional gesture is not considered enough. The commercialization of an occasion has devalued its original value, in this case, love. For someone who can’t afford expensive gifts or doesn’t like to, these customs force them to do otherwise and make them do it unwillingly. The only expression of love that is recognized is the one that involves a monetary value.Human beings have also start getting commodified. With concepts such as “boyfriend on rent” coming up, the question arises why there is even a need for it. Having a date for Valentines has become more a compulsion than a want. Peer pressure is a major reason for it. Being the only person in your friend circle who does not have a partner surely makes one feel left out when talking about relationships.To cope with it and find an immediate solution, individuals resort to other means such as online dating, going out with random strangers etc. This is extremely dangerous and unsafe as one may not be what they claim to be and it could lead to mishaps.These short term and temporary solutions not only raise questions of security but also show how the essence of a close bond, a personalized relationship where people take time to understand each other, to know each other and then decide to come together is infact eroding.This could lead to fights and misunderstandings between a couple and in turn affect their relation and trust issues in future.Valentine’s day is about the expression of one’s love.Nowhere does it imply that the lover has to be a romantic partner. It could be anyone, your parents, siblings or friends. The idea of galentine’s day that has come up recently revolves around cherishing friendship between female friends and has been widely accepted especially by the youth.Another expression which gets ignored and is perhaps one of the most crucial ones is self love yesss in this gen-z world instead of loving ourselves we need someone to come and love us,we want to be loved rather than loving ourselveswhy does it take us time to accept ourselves the way we arein this so called loving world it’s easier for us to accept people the way they are rather than accepting one selfthere are going to be times when you feel hostile towards yourself,but at the end of the day it is you who has to accept itvalidation has become such a decisive part of our life.in the end it’s you who’s validation matters not the world.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Delhi South chapter.