Scrap Valentine’s! (Not the man, but the day.)
It is not because I am a bitter single person. Au contraire, I am a happily married mother of two boys. It is not because my husband always forgets to get me gifts or do anything special on Valentine’s. I assure you it is not.
Why then should we scrap Valentine’s? Apart from the blatant commercialism of the day, I think we should scrap it because it results in more angst and broken hearts than it does in warm fuzzy feelings.
Analysts have observed that depression goes up by 90 per cent on Valentine’s Day. This is because Valentine’s creates unrealistic expectations of what we should get or what love should be like. Expectations always results in disappointment and Valentine’s amps expectation by 100 per cent, consequently resulting in many shattered hopes, dreams and ultimately, disappointment.
I know of several couples who have broken up on Valentine’s! How ironic is that? Usually it was a result of dashed expectations.
Furthermore, why should we set aside only one day to show our love? Shouldn’t this be done year-round? It’s almost like, I’ll appreciate you on this day and neglect you for the rest of the year! Worse yet is if we don’t get appreciation even on this one day that is set aside!
Valentine’s emphasises loneliness and makes it seem more unbearable. Comparing what you have to others is an often inescapable tendency. We want to avoid comparisons but how can we when it’s thrust in our face on radio, TV and practically everywhere we look? Some people admittedly feel sick on this day: physically, mentally and emotionally. So why keep a day such as this?
The only good thing I can see about Valentine’s is that it has evolved into a day to celebrate not just romantic love, but love in all its forms—filial, maternal, etc. Anyone can get flowers and chocolates as long as you like/love them. If everyone receives appreciation equally, then it’s not so bad.
But the fact remains, it’s a day that sucks for single people. Anyhow you look at it, they will feel left out. And if a day is devoted to love, then shouldn’t everyone feel loved? Therefore, I propose that in the interest of preserving the original intention of Valentine’s, it should be scrapped! Paradoxical, I know, but makes sense once you think about it.
Scrapping Valentine’s is the best way to show we appreciate the original ideology behind the celebration. Everyone should feel loved; no one should feel left out. And what about self-love? Isn’t that more important than expecting someone else to love you? I would prefer a National Self-Love Day in place of Valentine’s. So come Sunday February 14, 2016, let’s all support the call to scrap Valentine’s! Wear blue, instead of pink and stay home in your pyjamas, eating chocolate ice-cream and cake.
Vanessa S Choonie