February 06, 2015
5 Reasons Why I Hate Valentine's Day
Oh, Valentine's Day.
At a young age, we are indoctrinated that this is a special day in which we get gifts.
We get excited over this day, but, at such a young age, what did we really know about love? Not shit. Valentine's Day did teach me that if someone truly cared about me, they would buy me cards, flowers, and candy.
As a happily married adult, I still hate Valentine's Day. It is so overrated in many ways, but here are 5 reasons why I personally hate it:
1.) We all fall victim to price gouging. Flowers normally are freaking expensive (from a floral shop anyway), but on Valentine's Day, they draw you in by adding a box of cheap chocolates or a small, minute teddy bear that so cleverly says "I love you" and before you know it, you're looking at $100 flowers. Pretty expensive shit for something that will wilt and die in a week or two. People go all out and make purchases that they cannot really afford because they feel like they have to.
2.) We measure love by gifts. That little teddy bear holding it's "I love you" sign isn't going to save your relationship or prove how much you care about someone. That assortment of chocolates, which probably tastes horrendous, isn't going to show your partner your affection. Don't make it about the gift, but about the reason behind the gift.
3.) We are forced to give meaninglessly. When Valentine's Day rolls around, would your spouse or partner get pissed if you didn't get them a tangible gift, but instead cooked them a nice dinner, cleaned the house, and spent quality time with them? Let's switch sides. Are you the one who gets upset because every gal in your office has gotten a huge arrangement of flowers delivered to their desk, but you haven't received any? Get over yourself. Love does not equal flowers. Yes, it is a nice gesture, but come on now.
4.) We get sad or depressed if we are alone. On Valentine's Day, singles (some, singles) tend to become depressed, wishing that they had a parter since this day is all about "love" and "having someone." It also forces people in relationships. Every notice how many engagements take place on or around Valentine's Day? But, would you believe it if I were to tell you that the days following shortly after are the most popular for break-ups?
5.) We forget the real reason of Valentine's Day. Valentine's isn't all about flowers, candy, and gifts, it is about religion, love for all, and acts of kindness. Most scholars believe that the St. Valentine of the holiday was a priest who attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II around 270. At this stage, the factual ends and the mythic begins. According to one legend, Claudius II had prohibited marriage for young men, claiming that bachelors made better soldiers. Valentine continued to secretly perform marriage ceremonies but was eventually apprehended by the Romans and put to death. Another legend has it that Valentine, imprisoned by Claudius, fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. Before he was executed, he allegedly sent her a letter signed "from your Valentine." Probably the most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not focused on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion.
Instead, I love celebrating Valentine's Day with loving gestures such as giving my husband a back rub, making his very favorite dinner, or simply asking someone to babysit the kids so we can have some alone time.
You don't need to spend x amount of dollars to show someone that you love them.
You don't need x amount of dollars spent on you to feel loved.
You do not have to be in a relationship to feel loved. Chances are, you are loved by many people already so don't let one stupid day get you down.
For free diet and workout plans, click the image below:
2.) We measure love by gifts. That little teddy bear holding it's "I love you" sign isn't going to save your relationship or prove how much you care about someone. That assortment of chocolates, which probably tastes horrendous, isn't going to show your partner your affection. Don't make it about the gift, but about the reason behind the gift.
3.) We are forced to give meaninglessly. When Valentine's Day rolls around, would your spouse or partner get pissed if you didn't get them a tangible gift, but instead cooked them a nice dinner, cleaned the house, and spent quality time with them? Let's switch sides. Are you the one who gets upset because every gal in your office has gotten a huge arrangement of flowers delivered to their desk, but you haven't received any? Get over yourself. Love does not equal flowers. Yes, it is a nice gesture, but come on now.
4.) We get sad or depressed if we are alone. On Valentine's Day, singles (some, singles) tend to become depressed, wishing that they had a parter since this day is all about "love" and "having someone." It also forces people in relationships. Every notice how many engagements take place on or around Valentine's Day? But, would you believe it if I were to tell you that the days following shortly after are the most popular for break-ups?
5.) We forget the real reason of Valentine's Day. Valentine's isn't all about flowers, candy, and gifts, it is about religion, love for all, and acts of kindness. Most scholars believe that the St. Valentine of the holiday was a priest who attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II around 270. At this stage, the factual ends and the mythic begins. According to one legend, Claudius II had prohibited marriage for young men, claiming that bachelors made better soldiers. Valentine continued to secretly perform marriage ceremonies but was eventually apprehended by the Romans and put to death. Another legend has it that Valentine, imprisoned by Claudius, fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. Before he was executed, he allegedly sent her a letter signed "from your Valentine." Probably the most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not focused on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion.
Instead, I love celebrating Valentine's Day with loving gestures such as giving my husband a back rub, making his very favorite dinner, or simply asking someone to babysit the kids so we can have some alone time.
You don't need to spend x amount of dollars to show someone that you love them.
You don't need x amount of dollars spent on you to feel loved.
You do not have to be in a relationship to feel loved. Chances are, you are loved by many people already so don't let one stupid day get you down.
For free diet and workout plans, click the image below: