A special tape full of vivid memories from both my childhood and teen years starts playing as soon as February 1st arrives every year. Those days where we would anxiously wait for the time the Valentine’s mailbox unraveled, wandering through the store isles filled with pink and red and only pink and red, getting chocolate and matching friendship bracelets with those we’d call “best friends,” and even seeing others confess to their crushes in the hallways with plushies often bigger than themselves. The aura, the smell, and the colors would only mark one thing every February—love was in the air! However, even though this is the mainstream idea of Valentine’s Day, it’s not quite the most realistic one; especially as you begin adulting…
Both society and the media have influenced us into thinking that the only “correct” way” of celebrating this holiday is by going all out for everyone only on that very day; on pampering others with gifts and hugs; on not spending that specific day alone, even if you feel like you’re unable to have company due to an infinite number of circumstances. The truth is that life gets busier as we grow up, and our priorities and responsibilities change from those we had years ago. People move farther and farther away and both our studies and work consume our energy to the point where we’re too exhausted to make plans like we used to or might want to. All of these are situations we have no control of and, unfortunately, cannot intervene in.
The way society and the media portray these situations makes it so we believe we’re defeating the whole purpose of the holiday by being unable to celebrate how they say we need to. This can make others feel like their world is crumbling, like they should accept their fate of being a homebody, even in the day of love, but how about we throw an UNO reverse card at them and learn to embrace our solo time instead of dreading it?
We often forget that self-love is also a form of love, one that is rarely paid attention to in today’s day and age; all thanks to the busy lifestyle society has agreed on having. That being said, it’s also the most pure and beautiful form of love to exist. We are the first ones to meet ourselves after arriving in this world, the first ones to notice changes, to celebrate our victories and learn from our losses, the first who say “Look at you! You look amazing today!” in the mirror when we doll up. Self-love is the first step of learning how to love.
Whether you’re spending this lovey-dovey season with company or alone, this principle shall remain:to love and appreciate yourself and your time is key. Always remain with your head held high, remembering “I am my own Valentine, regardless of the circumstances!” You deserve everything.