Three Things I'm Not Doing on Valentine's Day

On the off chance that you don't know, Wednesday is Valentine's Day. I personally have no idea how this could escape anyone's attention, because we Americans have been inundated with consistent blatant and subliminal Valentine's Day advertising since the Christmas items were relegated to the clearance aisle.  For the past month and a half, stores have been decked out in red and pink and have been full of humongous teddy bears, boxes of chocolate, cards, and other miscellaneous trinkets that proclaim love and devotion. Television and radio have flooded the airwaves with ads about jewelry. Everywhere we look, cupid is in our faces.

As you've probably guessed, I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day.  My best friend, who has known me since we were kids, says that I was anti-Valentine's Day before being anti-Valentine's Day was trendy. Now, that's not to say that I'm anti-love, because I'm not.  I believe in love and I believe in the power of love.  I honestly think we need more love in the world.  But, there's something about the saccharine, artificiality of Valentine's Day that just rubs me the wrong way. Not to mention that I share my birthday with this loathsome holiday.  Yes, I am a Valentine's baby.  GAG!  Let me go on record and say that sharing your birthday with the second most commercialized holiday sucks.  Oh, trust me, I could write an entirely different post on that topic, but I digress.  

If you're curious as to why I dislike Valentine's Day, my reasoning is very simple. For a holiday that's supposedly all about love and happiness, it sure seems to raise people's anxiety levels.  

Example #1:  Many women worry about what they'll receive from their significant others, because for many there is an unspoken competition with other women as to who will receive the best gift.  Unfortunately, Valentine gifts have become very much a status symbol with many.  I've known a few women who have actually gone so far as to send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day because, unsure as to whether their boyfriends and husbands would send anything, they didn't want to be in a position where they didn't receive something on Valentine's Day.

And this anxiety doesn't just affect women, men often feel it as well.  Example #2: I know several men who have expressed how stressful Valentine's Day can be and how hard it is to plan the perfect/original/creative Valentine's Day experience for their loved one.  Sadly, a few have also expressed how disheartening it is to plan something, something that they really put a lot of thought, effort, and often money into only to receive a lackluster response.  

Lastly, Example #3: Those who do not have a significant others often feel left out on Valentine's Day.  Our Valentine's Day traditions do tend to overlook them (I know because I experienced this for many years).  It also has a strange way of emphasizing one's relationship status more than any other day of the year, which can be very upsetting for some.

Anyway, that's why I'm not much of a fan of Valentine's Day.  I really think it brings out the worst in many of us.  So, without further ado, here are three things that you will not find me doing come Wednesday:

GOING OUT TO EAT

This is probably my number one complaint of my birthday falling on Valentine's Day.  I learned a LONG time ago, that going out to eat on my birthday required one of the following:  1) patience, because 2-3 hour wait typically requires a lot of patience; 2) reservations; or 3) settling for fast food because of the previous two items listed.

EXPECTING ROSES

One of the first things I told my husband when we first got together was to not send me roses for Valentine's Day and this simple statement elicited a comical and very shocked look on his face that I still remember to this day!  LOL!  My reasoning is this, roses are crazy expensive on this holiday.  I mean, I get the whole supply and demand thing, but still.  I don't want him spending a bunch of money on something that I'll be throwing into the trash next week.  I'd much rather him take me to do something, something that we both could experience together, like a concert or a show or an exhibit.  If he wants to pick me up a bouquet of Crazy Daisies, which are much more reasonably priced, that's fine.

EATING CHALKY CANDY CONVERSATION HEARTS OR CHOCOLATES THAT CAME IN A HEART SHAPED BOX

Bottom line, if I'm going to indulge in something sweet that is higher in calories than I typically eat on Valentine's Day, I'm going to eat something definitely worth my while like creme brûlée, red velvet cake, or ice cream from a local creamery. I'm not going to waste my calories on funky tasting candy and waxy chocolate.


If you're curious as what I WILL be doing on Valentine's Day, check back Wednesday.  

In the meantime, however, what are some things you will not be doing on Valentine's Day?

Happy Monday to you!