So, Valentine’s Day is over.
Your flowers are dead. Brain-eating amoebas have built a home in the water. Three days ago, you bumped into your dresser and all the petals fell off. You left them there. Now, they’re just a reminder of your laziness. They point and laugh at you.
But hey, before you reach for that last Lindt chocolate, think: does Valentine’s Day really have to be over? Must it end in such guilt?
I mean, it’s such a quick holiday. You bought the bracelet and now they’re wearing it. You paid the dinner tab. You sent out your Snoopy valentines. Hell, maybe you’re already out of the flavoured condoms. It’s hardly even a holiday; Christ, I have to go to work? Ugh.
I believe there is a Valentine’s Day identity crisis among us. Think Charlie Brown what is the meaning of Christmas style. Well, consider me your Linus.
The true meaning of Valentine’s Day is a calm, soft, sentimental kind of love. It should be taken slowly — it’s one of our only holidays where there’s no expectation to drink. Valentine’s Day is a cozy night in, watching a rom-com with your best friend, actually buying the appetizers this time or shamelessly DoorDashing a red velvet cake from Sobey’s. It can be a glamourous, relaxing, mindful holiday.
Can’t this feeling last, just a bit longer?
I propose we keep it going. Every day can be Valentine’s Day, if you want it to. Here’s how:
Surprise yourself more often.
Valentine’s Day has mastered the art of surprise. (They did get you the candygram! Sweet relief.) Why not do that for yourself? Grab a pen and a piece of paper. Write little notes to yourself and leave them in places you’ll forget. Your coat pockets. The bottom of your garbage bin. Stick it to your health card. Stick it over that bad grade you got on that test. Put one on the sole of your shoe. That way, when you step in gum, you’re faced with an inspirational quote. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Instant mood booster. Make a ton and put them everywhere. You just have to forget where you put them, though. Don’t think of a white bear.
Get drunk.
Get drunk and write a letter. Try out some new comedy material, stick some stickers on the page, pour some loose candy hearts in there and mail that sucker away. Make the address out to yourself. Write your name in a heart bubble. And bam! Three days later, you got yourself a present.
Team up with someone.
Tell your roommate you’ll make their bed for them. Get them to make yours. Place their stuffies in just the right spots and pile the pillows in their favourite order. Put on your matching PJs. Make two cups of hot chocolate and light a candle. Not only do you get the satisfaction of caring for someone, you too are cared for! Everything is romantic.
Write your own love story.
Listen. The day-to-day is hard. We all have to get up, go to school, exercise, talk to annoying people, whatever. But we’re college students. We’ve been alive for like, at least a bit now. And whether or not you believe it yourself, yes, you have lived. You do have a story. Buy yourself an ink cartridge pen or just tape a feather to your BIC ballpoint. Light a candle. Put a bit of soy sauce on your paper, scrunch it up and wait a day. Now you’re a regular Jane Austen. I’m not asking you to journal; I’m not that person. But write a bit about love. Or happiness. Something nice, okay?
I get it if you hate Valentine’s Day. But ask yourself: do you really hate love? No, you don’t, you
Scrooge. We have the power to make Valentine’s Day whatever we want. We can abandon the consumerism, the race to get a date before the 14th, the confusion of do I buy them a present? Are we even dating?
Say goodbye to all of that. Valentine’s Day is a day of love and affection. Saint Valentine said so himself, I’m sure.
If V-Day’s got you down this year, no sweat. Hell, make it up to yourself and celebrate Valentine’s Day every month, if you want. It’s not a crime — all holidays are made up anyway. It’s a free world!
