A Single Day Meant for Single People
It’s that time of the year again . . . couples displaying PDA across Kenna lawn; on-campus organizations selling roses, candy and all sorts of themed merchandise and literary lovers picking blind dates with books in the learning commons. With February outlined in red hearts and roses and the commercial fanfare kicking in a month prior, it’s so easy to find Valentine’s Day both overrated and lonely–especially if you’re single.
The common myth is that Valentine’s Day is boring if you aren’t celebrating with a significant other. But the holiday this year was a lot more than a day for couples–this season can also be about friendships, or even yourself. And it’s not too late to celebrate love, even after Valentine’s Day.
February can also be about self-love and self-care, which may look different for everyone. Maybe it’s going to the gym, having a spa day or taking a nap. For me, it’s watching a comfort show with a face mask on while painting my nails.
Valentine’s Day is like every other day, but its commercialism makes self-care on a Wednesday amidst midterms justifiable and needed before a mental breakdown.
If you didn’t have a date, you could spend the coming weekend with your single friends, participating in “Galentine’s Day.” This means planning an elaborate pink-themed party with chocolate strawberries, roses and heart-shaped cookies, or something simple like having dinner at your favorite place with your friends. If you’re like me, it means scheduling a gal-date call with your long-distance friend.
Maybe you spent the day alone holed up in your room (perhaps to hide from all the couples that will be sure to be out). While that might seem like an atrocious way to celebrate, it doesn’t have to be. But if you wasted away Valentine’s Day wallowing about your singleness, have no fear–there’s always next year.
And this isn’t just limited to the gals–nothing bars the single guys from having “Brolentine’s” or a self-care day.
Gender expectations encourage men to be stoic and married to their pre-workout shakes and gym routines if they are single on Valentine’s Day. The complete opposite is expected of women. Instead, we are expected to cry ourselves to sleep if we do not receive roses from a Valentine. Although the term Galentine seems to exclude the guys, it speaks to a larger issue of emotional intelligence stereotypes between men and women.
So, rather than focusing on what society expects you to do, focus on what you want to do and feel happy doing.
No matter where you find yourself on Valentine’s Day, it will never be a day just for couples. I encourage all the singles to find their own version of love within the last fleeting moments of this month–and for every February to come.