Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and hordes of single ladies participated in anti-Valentine’s day parties. Hooray. How original. Throwing an anti-Valentine’s Day party is so common that it borders on cliché. Come on, ladies — it’s the 21st century. You are not obligated to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Why subject yourself to society’s expectations? No holiday or person can force you to feel depressed or influence your feelings. Hallmark didn’t create Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is the anniversary of Saint Valentine’s execution in Rome, on the orders of Emperor Claudius II. We are not celebrating St. Valentine’s death but honoring the man’s life. According to legend, Valentine of Rome married young Christian couples during a time when it was against Roman law and punishable by death. When he was caught on Feb. 14, the courageous St. Valentine was publicly beheaded.
It’s a wonderfully romantic story, but regardless of whether it is true, let’s put an end to the pity parties. Here’s a little dose of honesty: Having an anti-Valentine’s Day attitude is not cool. It’s pathetic. Harsh, right? I know, but you needed to hear it. We are all adults here, so let’s start acting like it. Stop listening to Alanis Morissette, find creative ways to get over a break-up and get on with your life. Why must you feel that you have to be in a relationship or feel obligated to have a date to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Remember that being single is a choice and not a result of your incompatibility with your former significant other. You can learn from your past relationships to become a better you. It all depends on how you want to learn from the experience. For those of you single people who skipped out on Valentine’s Day, do something to spoil yourself this week. As for me, I spent Valentine’s treating myself to a movie night.