Tacky cards. Cheesy stuffed animals. Absurdly overpriced roses and heart-shaped chocolates. These all have replaced the true meaning of one of the most special days of the year: Valentine’s Day.
To some, this love-themed holiday serves as a day to be proud of being single. To others, it serves as an occasion to honor romantic relationships they are deeply committed to. For many, it has no relevance at all. But the true meaning of the day lies in the respect and appreciation given to those who have helped you along your journey in life.
Life is not easy; we all know. However, it is the people in your life that make the experience worthwhile. Valentine’s Day is not meant to highlight your lack of romantic relationships, but rather emphasize the platonic and familial ones that contribute to your happiness in life.
The infamous gifts and money are unnecessary, only further materializing the real meaning of love and respect. According to a survey done by the National Retail Federation, the average individual will spend an astounding $192.80 on Valentine’s Day items. This is an outrageous amount of money used to quantify your admiration for someone. Not buying someone a teddy bear doesn’t mean that you don’t care for them.
The real presents lie in the words and actions of appreciation given to those you value the most. There is no shame in telling your mom you love her or reminding your friend that they mean a lot to you; kind messages only strengthen the bond between you two and are much more powerful than a drugstore box of chocolates.
While some might think that Valentine’s Day is overrated as love and appreciation should not be condensed to an annual holiday, it serves as a reminder for the world to say those words of affirmation to that special person (even if you do it on a daily basis).
Now, it is not all your fault for falling into the corporate schemes to pull money out of your pocket, as that’s what their marketing tactics are for. However, the next time you go into the store during the month of February, try to steer clear of the Valentine’s Day aisle and instead focus on the people in your life who have helped you become the person you are today.
