Already February! Or is it more just February? For me it's February already because I just didn't see January go by.
For many, February is a pleasant month because it is shorter than the others and is often associated with the famous spring break for children. But even before we get to this sacred week, February brings us an event every year that takes on different meanings. Some anticipate it, others fear it. This event, you guessed it, is Valentine's Day. Enemy number one of single people (and of most men), it is nevertheless highly appreciated by many…women.
In my humble opinion, February 14 should be renamed International Unnecessary Pressure Day. Unnecessary pressure to be more caring, to be more romantic, to be more seductive, to be more in love. Those who are in a relationship are under pressure to find THE perfect gift for their better half. And not only should this gift be ideal, but it should also be unique, original and meaningful. Not always easy to find!
For those who are not in a relationship but who dream of it, it's the unnecessary pressure to find a date at all costs. For them, it would be unacceptable to spend Valentine's Day betweenfriends or simply ignore their existence. For these optimists, it's now or never to settle down and finally find the person who will make them capsize.
Finally, there are those who don't give a damn. In the case of singles, it's not so bad. Nobody will harass them and they will spend their day like the other 364 of the year. But for couples who don't care, it's a different story. The other couples judge them, bully them and even call them cheap! These days, we don't tolerate lovers making fun of Valentine's Day. They are forced to pretend. Pretending they love each other more than the day before, pretending all their problems have evaporated, pretending they have money to throw away for meaningless gifts and roses that cost double the usual price. Pretending to love Valentine's Day finally!
Some criticize Valentine's Day for being a purely commercial fabrication that aims to make us consume more. Maybe, so what? Are not all holidays? Christmas certainly holds the top spot on the list of consumer days, but Easter, Mother's Day and all those “important dates” have the same result: they make us spend. That's life, and I doubt it will change. So let's stop complaining and do what we want. Let those who want to buy chocolate buy it, and let the others not buy it. It's simple, right?
Personally, I think this "Love Day" is okay on its own, but I don't understand why people put so much pressure on themselves to make it a memorable day. Wouldn't it be a thousand times more surprising (and appreciated!) for your loved one to receive flowers on January 22, just because you wanted to? Because we love him and wanted to tell him at that very moment? Wouldn't it be more romantic to be invited to a good restaurant on March 4? The problem with February 14 is that everyone expects to be spoiled. Everyone expects to be surprised, which, by definition, is a bit paradoxical. The purpose of surprise is precisely to surprise! Not to fill a wait.
Love it or not, talk about it or not, Valentine's Day is here to stay. So on this great observation of life, I hope that all those who are looking forward to this special day will not be disappointed. And to everyone else, I just wish February less cold than January!
