Valentine’s Day: a holiday targeted toward the lovers. We buy our significant others flowers, chocolates, and other gifts to show them our affection.

However,  single people are often overlooked on this holiday, causing some of us to have a deep hatred for this day.

Not all of us are always in a romantic relationship during Valentine’s Day, and if some of us don’t already feel lonely enough, being surrounded by happy couples sure doesn’t help. 

Instead of being treated to a 5-star dinner along with flowers and chocolates, most singles will spend their Valentine’s Day cuddled up in their PJs with a blanket, watching rom coms, and eating a pint of ice cream.

Some of us may prefer to stay in for the night in order to avoid the romantic passion being shoved in our face everywhere we turn. Restaurants are packed with couples, grocery stores are filled with Valentine’s Day items; it almost seems inescapable.

Valentine’s Day has lost its meaning over time due to commercial pressure. It’s now seen as if you don’t receive gifts or get taken out to a meal, you aren’t loved.

This can be a toxic way of thinking for both couples and singles. Rather than focusing on how much money we spend or how much is spent on us, we should focus on non-materialistic ways to show our love for others.

Instead of blowing $50 on a box of chocolates, bake something homemade. Making something yourself is a great way to show someone you love them, and you may even surprise yourself by testing your creativity.   

The marketing strategies of Valentine’s Day are made to appeal to couples – restaurants promoting a dinner for two, commercials showing couples surprising each other with luxury gifts, etc.

While companies’ motives are to attract couples, for some, these marketing strategies can be a cruel reminder of their single status and actually shove the idea of not having a partner to celebrate with in their face.

Only marketing certain items to couples makes it seem like being in a love-struck relationship is what’s socially acceptable for this holiday, but that’s not true.

Who’s to say singles can’t go to their own dinner and buy themselves flowers? Most people forget that you don’t have to be in a romantic relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Going out with your best friends, family, or even just simply treating yourself are all great ways to feel included in the holiday. After all, singles can always look forward to Singles Awareness Day and half-priced candy on February 15th. 

Besides, there’s more fun things about Valentine’s Day than just being in a couple.

Learning a new recipe that matches the Valentine’s Day theme, color coordinating pink and red into your outfit, or even watching a cheesy Hallmark movie are all great ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day that don’t involve being in a relationship. 

After all, Valentine’s Day is the “day of love” – not just romantic love, but all types of love. Celebrating Valentine’s day as a single person should be normalized, because even if you are single, you still aren’t completely alone.

There are still so many people in your life that you should be thankful for – your parents, friends, teachers, maybe even your pets. Most important, self-love should be celebrated on this day.

Take care of yourself, buy yourself something nice, and surround yourself with the things and people that you love.

We all put too much pressure on this holiday, and instead should all just focus on what matters most – recognizing the important people in our lives and loving ourselves.