All you need is love (and appreciation)

Ok, so it’s Valentine’s Day. Probably one of the more controversial “holidays” (just saying, the post office isn’t closed), on the books. People love to hate V Day, and I just don’t get what the big deal is. Ladies, really? How can you hate a day that’s whole object is to get you candy, flowers and jewelry. It’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

If you’re coupled, go have some fun, enjoy the one you love. Stop griping about being burdened by the commercialism of it all. If you don’t want to go out, don’t go out. If you hate big stuffed animals and heart shaped candies, go get some fancy pop corn or a new set of headphones instead. No one is forcing you to wear pink, or red, or to buy kitchschy gifts. Wear brown if you please. Just appreciate your US by doing something the two of you genuinely enjoy. It’s a “holiday.” It’s supposed to be fun. If you don’t want to celebrate, I’m pretty sure it’s optional just like going to church on Christmas.

If you’re single, please don’t let me hear you whine about how the universe is against you and you’ll be alone for the rest of your life. You don’t go getting all upset on Veteran’s Day because you’ve never served in a war. This holiday is not for you, but there are plenty of other holidays designed for special groups of people (Grandparent’s Day, Groundhog’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, President’s Day) that you are perfectly capable of coping with. Try to keep it in perspective.

Instead of complaining and being grumpy at work, you could take a couple minutes to just appreciate the spirit of the day. It’s all about love, happiness, and feeling good that you have it in your life. If you can’t appreciate a significant other, what about a pet, or a relative, or a coworker who really gets you, or a really awesome BFF, or your amazing boss? Or what about giving yourself a little pat on the back, I mean, you’re pretty hot, pretty successful, and pretty smart right? Obviously it would take someone of your caliber a little longer to find a Mr. or Mrs. Right who is equally awesome. Maybe you should reward yourself for all that greatness with a little indulgence that you wouldn’t on a normal day like chocolate for breakfast or that video game you’ve had your eye on.

If V-day is making you that unhappy to be in the relationship you’re in, or to not be in a relationship at all, then that should signal something to you. Maybe today’s the day you take a step towards changing that before getting all “Poor Me,” drinking too much wine, and leaving loving messages to all your exes on Facebook. That’s not getting you anywhere but embarrassed and hungover.

Let’s save all the melodrama for the real tragedies in life. It is Monday after all. Who has the energy for all that hullabaloo when you could just take an easy excuse to eat a lot of candy and be happy?