Valentine’s Day, often stereotyped as a celebration exclusively for romantic couples, is becoming more than just roses and romance. Love can take many forms, and while chocolates, fancy dinners, and sharing a special day with a partner can be exciting, this day should be a broader celebration of all forms of affection, not just with a significant other. Moving beyond the narrow confines of romantic relationships allows us to find love elsewhere and celebrate that instead.
Valentine’s Day originated as a day to honor St. Valentine and then later evolved into a celebration of love every February 14. The commercialization of this day started in the 1800s when sending cards to loved ones became a trend, according to Alibaba. Since then, it has further evolved into a day of standards and expectations a romantic partner is “supposed” to meet. People forget what the day is meant to be about and ruin it with unnecessary drama. You’re supposed to feel love and project love onto others, no matter what relationship you have with them. According to Psychology Today, “Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have enriched our lives. A simple note, a heartfelt conversation, or a small act of kindness can go a long way in strengthening relationships. It is a day to remind our loved ones—partners, parents, children, or friends—how much they mean to us.”
A fairly new trend, Galentine’s Day, has emerged as a way to honor the bonds of friendship with your girls on a day that may feel lonely for those without a romantic partner. True friends are the family we choose, offering support, laughter, and comfort in times of loneliness. It’s important to celebrate these relationships and let them know you appreciate them. Due to the realization that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be spent only with a boyfriend, a whole day (February 13) is now known as Galentine’s Day. According to People Magazine, “Galentine’s Day is an unofficial holiday that takes place on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s Day. The annual tradition encourages women to spend time with their female friends… Contrary to criticism that Galentine’s Day patronizes single women, the festivity is meant to be about empowerment and uplifting one another.”
Moreover, there has recently been a significant shift in social norms with views on relationships, gender roles, and individualism evolving more than ever before. With these new takes on relationships, new ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day have come about as well. Businesses are now capitalizing on broader interpretations of love by promoting inclusivity. For example, Rihanna’s brand, Savage X Fenty, is campaigning with the slogan “Love Your Way,” to “embrace” love in every form—romantic, platonic, and self-love included!” according to Digital Agency Network.
Social media has also been used to reach out to a younger audience who might feel lonely on Valentine’s Day. Teenagers are exposed only to the highlights of an influencer’s life, which sometimes makes it hard to remember that the people they watch can also feel lonely. Expanding this holiday and showing everyone that they’re allowed to celebrate love with whoever they want benefits them in many ways. Loneliness can cause anxiety or depression, but the feeling of being included and loved can help this and improve people’s mental health.
Overall, there are so many positive impacts of expanding Valentine’s Day, such as feeling included, celebrating how you want, and understanding love is not a black-and-white image anymore Love can be shown and felt in different ways, so it’s important not to forget that. Looking past the social standards of Valentine’s Day allows us to find love in other places and celebrate it instead.
