By Maddie Garvis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Valentine\u2019s Day: A manufactured holiday created by the greeting card industry to sell chocolate and overpriced teddy bear? Or a romantic holiday of love and other sappy stuff? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve heard it both ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Valentine\u2019s Day can be traumatic if you don\u2019t have any plans and it can lead to feelings of embarrassment, loneliness, inadequacy, and possibly the consumption of copious amounts of chocolate ice cream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if you\u2019re single or things are \u201ccomplicated,\u201d you can still make Valentine\u2019s Day an enjoyable holiday instead of your own personal hellscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One Valentine\u2019s Day alternative is to celebrate \u201cGalentine\u2019s Day.\u201d The name sounds slightly lame, but the concept holds up. Get a few of your friends together and go see a movie, go out to dinner, or stay in to play card games and drink (responsibly). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could also set aside Valentine\u2019s Day as a lazy day. Sleep in later than usual, pop some popcorn and watch that show you\u2019ve been wanting to start. Play Mario Kart or read a book. Paint something? I don\u2019t know, whatever floats your love boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buy yourself flowers and a box of chocolates if that\u2019s what you want on Valentine\u2019s Day. Despite traditions and popular opinion, it is acceptable for you to buy your own flowers. Crazy, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s okay to feel bummed out on Valentine\u2019s Day when you\u2019re surrounded by couples and an aggressive and somewhat unnecessary number of various shades of pinks and reds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most important thing is not to wallow in it, and to remember that your self-worth is not determined by your relationship status on a random Monday in February. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"