Point: Love costs nothing

Similar to most other holidays, Valentine’s Day might feel like just another holiday in which you have to spend money. In reality, it has always been more than just another consumerism ploy. It is our yearly reminder to be present in our relationships and to show people that we love them. 

Of course everyone would want flowers or a heart-shaped box of candy. However, in the yearly plastering of decoration and needless junk, connection was lost. People feel more obligated to buy something for their significant other rather than taking time to cherish them, which makes the holiday lose its significance. 

If anything, contributing to the intense consumerism of every holiday is not only exhausting and expensive, but it is unnecessary. These habits keep everyone in the mindless loop. Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to slow down, remember that we do not have all the time in the world with the people we love and to not take them for granted. 

Valentine’s Day can be seen as performative, but it is not performative if there are genuine feelings involved. The celebration of Valentine’s Day is built on connection and love; it is the one holiday that is dedicated to strengthening bonds between people. It is easy to get lost in the superficial monetization of the holiday, but it costs nothing to say “I love you” or to give someone a hug. 

Those moments mean more than anything you can buy. 

Besides, this is not exclusive to romantic couples. That is why anniversaries exist. Valentine’s Day in its original form is an inclusive holiday, intended to celebrate all forms of love and all kinds of relationships.

 For example, Galentine’s Day has become increasingly popular over the last decade. It allows women to prioritize their friendships whether they are single or in a relationship. So if you think about it, Galentines Day is truer to the spirit of Valentine’s Day than anything. 

Valentine’s Day is not meant to discourage single people or make long-distance couples suffer, but more importantly it is not meant for comparison. At the end of the day, it is a holiday to show appreciation and gratitude to the people in our life that we care about, so why not participate?