There comes a time once a year, that makes many cringe. Some will come down with pseudo serious nausea, irrational thinking, unintentional bon bon eating, and lest we forget the waterworks. This time of year can be detrimental to our psyche, and without proper care we could end up spending an entire 24 hours utterly miserable.

Ten points and one golden star to the lucky reader to guess what day I am referring to.

Raise your hand if Valentine’s Day is not your idea of a good time. I would like to say that for those readers who are in happy, loving relationships to take this article in jest. However, there are “resident singletons” (thank you Bridget Jones) that truly dread this day.

Why is that?

I can say with near certainty that we as a society believe this day to be purely Hallmark. I am sure that many will denounce that with a mythical Cupid story- but let’s call a spade a spade. This cinnamon heart, red balloon day is meant to sell greeting cards.

What makes this day such a disaster is the concept that if you are not on the receiving end of said greeting cards, you essentially have a whole day to wallow about how lonely you are. If you do not have dinner plans at seven, or a hotel room booked, there is something wrong with you. Naturally, we would love to call our girlfriends and guffaw about how lavish our entire day will be. Cue dream sequence:

“Timothy is taking me to a luxe martini bar for oysters and chocolate covered strawberries.”

“Oh, well Michael is surprising me with a penthouse suite for the night where he will spend hours reading poems he wrote about me.”

“Well, I saw a little velvet box in John’s coat the other day, along with two tickets to Bali; no big deal.”

Naturally.

I surveyed my best friends, and the married one said she and her hubby don’t devout a specific day to honour their love.  They make a point to be loving and kind every day. With a two year old and twins on the way (at 27!) this is not a shocker. The engaged one said that she and her fiancé are strapped after putting down-payments for their wedding; V-day will likely be wine and a home cooked meal.  The one in the relationship isn’t really thinking about it, and the single ladies are going out with each other.

I think the problem is that there are so many people with so many expectations, that the pressure is all consuming. However, at the end of the day many take it easy on February 14^th.

Remember that nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent. You are not a holiday. Single? Go out with your friends. Stay in and listen to music. Take yourself on a date. My girlfriend is going by herself to a concert. Talk about self worth!   Lastly, you will hear at the office, on the subway and in papers grandioso stories about the “Timothys and Michaels and Johns” of the world and their lavish overindulgent splurges for their women.  Try not to look as if you just sucked a lemon whilst listening to the stories. Your turn is coming up, I promise.

Take Valentines’ Day for what it’s worth- marathon chick flicks, a girl’s night out and way too much chocolate.

Photo Credit © Tracy Whiteside | Dreamstime.com

Stephanie Churma is a freelance writer living in Toronto with a focus on Sex and Relationships, Lifestyle, Fashion, and Personal Development. Her Valentine’s Day will consist of snagging the comfy chair at Starbucks and canoodling with a latte. She can be contacted at stephaniechurma@hotmail.com

Tags: love, sex, Single, Valentines Day