Canceling Cupid: Redefining The Meaning of Valentine's Day
Feb 10 2026
For years beyond my age, Valentine's Day has been a hallmark holiday that focuses on the joy and love of couples. Between the heart-shaped chocolate boxes, flowers, and teddy bears, it's almost impossible to find a space for those who do not have a significant other.
Every year, we are smothered with trending rom-coms and gift ideas for a lover, but rarely are we focused on the love we have for ourselves and each other, beyond a romantic setting.
When I get to thinking, it's hard to identify a holiday that celebrates those who are on their own and those who are not in a romantically committed relationship. There's no trending love song for the single, nor is there a stuffed toy we can receive.
Aside from the singles, I think Valentine's Day should be a day that celebrates all love, and not just the love we have romantically. How often do we have a day dedicated to celebrating the love we have for ourselves or the love we have for our friends, communities, families, or everyday interactions?
Well, assuming your answer is never, I would like to redefine this day of love and reframe it as a day of gratitude and appreciation.
More often than not, we are so consumed with our day-to-day shenanigans that we forget the importance of love for ourselves and the environment. Oftentimes, I find that we give more care to others than we give to ourselves, which is funny because we have been placed into a culture that so strongly highlights the importance of self-care.
I find that February 14th is a day where we are sitting and waiting for someone or something to make us feel appreciated and loved, when in reality, we should be giving it to ourselves every day. After all, isn't the strongest and most valuable relationship we have with ourselves?
If we don't redefine and rethink this holiday, I think we are bound to go in the wrong direction of self-love and self-care, and not just for single people.
I think as a society, we need to incorporate more love and appreciation without it being on the calendar. Love itself is one of the things I value most, and I don't mean romantically.
I think our societal definition of love has been morphed into more of a romantic setting and less of an appreciation and gratitude for our daily lives.
What if we centered Valentine's Day around all types of love, rather than just romantic love? Would we be in a society where we are kinder to ourselves and maybe a little less dreadful of the holiday?
In other words, would canceling the classic Cupid that hovers over romance make us happier?
Feb 10 2026
For years beyond my age, Valentine's Day has been a hallmark holiday that focuses on the joy and love of couples. Between the heart-shaped chocolate boxes, flowers, and teddy bears, it's almost impossible to find a space for those who do not have a significant other.
Every year, we are smothered with trending rom-coms and gift ideas for a lover, but rarely are we focused on the love we have for ourselves and each other, beyond a romantic setting.
When I get to thinking, it's hard to identify a holiday that celebrates those who are on their own and those who are not in a romantically committed relationship. There's no trending love song for the single, nor is there a stuffed toy we can receive.
Aside from the singles, I think Valentine's Day should be a day that celebrates all love, and not just the love we have romantically. How often do we have a day dedicated to celebrating the love we have for ourselves or the love we have for our friends, communities, families, or everyday interactions?
Well, assuming your answer is never, I would like to redefine this day of love and reframe it as a day of gratitude and appreciation.
More often than not, we are so consumed with our day-to-day shenanigans that we forget the importance of love for ourselves and the environment. Oftentimes, I find that we give more care to others than we give to ourselves, which is funny because we have been placed into a culture that so strongly highlights the importance of self-care.
I find that February 14th is a day where we are sitting and waiting for someone or something to make us feel appreciated and loved, when in reality, we should be giving it to ourselves every day. After all, isn't the strongest and most valuable relationship we have with ourselves?
If we don't redefine and rethink this holiday, I think we are bound to go in the wrong direction of self-love and self-care, and not just for single people.
I think as a society, we need to incorporate more love and appreciation without it being on the calendar. Love itself is one of the things I value most, and I don't mean romantically.
I think our societal definition of love has been morphed into more of a romantic setting and less of an appreciation and gratitude for our daily lives.
What if we centered Valentine's Day around all types of love, rather than just romantic love? Would we be in a society where we are kinder to ourselves and maybe a little less dreadful of the holiday?
In other words, would canceling the classic Cupid that hovers over romance make us happier?
A New Outlook For The Spring Season
March 31 2026
March With each new season that passes, I often tell myself that this will be the season of me, or a new me. But, in all honesty, it might be more beneficial to let go of that idea and start embracing and appreciating where I am now. I have always believed that we change with the seasons, which may be true, but I also believe that with new seasons doesn’t always come reinvention.
Maybe instead of falling into the pressure of having a “spring glow up” or “new you,” we take a moment to appreciate where we are and what has gotten us to this point. Whether you are in a positive season of life or not, I feel like we should take the pressure off ourselves to grow at a pace that may just not be meant for us. I feel like there is so much pressure in this generation to keep growing and flourishing at a fast pace, but in all truth, I think that can do more harm than good. I think the idea of growing has become a universal term for progress, which it may imply, but growth is unique to every single person on this planet and shouldn’t be used with a timeline.
If we want to grow in a way that is meaningful and something of substance, we have to slow down and shift our idea of changing with the seasons. Although the flowers will be blooming, and soon the trees will return to the color they once were, it doesn’t mean we have to. I think during this new season, we should focus on being gentle with our hearts and selves and remember that although change can be good, we should appreciate every moment of each passing season. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that we are never guaranteed positivity in every day, but in every day, there is positivity; we just have to dig a little deeper.
I think if we enter the spring season with a heart that accepts slower progress, appreciation, and growth, we will ultimately create a home within ourselves that feels accepting and maybe even something that is blooming with love. So, as I wrap up this week’s article, I encourage every reader to enter this new and upcoming season with gentleness and appreciation for how far we have all come, even in times of change. Be well, and give yourself a round of applause for everything you have done, big or small. May this incoming season bring newness and a sense of gratification.
March 31 2026
March With each new season that passes, I often tell myself that this will be the season of me, or a new me. But, in all honesty, it might be more beneficial to let go of that idea and start embracing and appreciating where I am now. I have always believed that we change with the seasons, which may be true, but I also believe that with new seasons doesn’t always come reinvention.
Maybe instead of falling into the pressure of having a “spring glow up” or “new you,” we take a moment to appreciate where we are and what has gotten us to this point. Whether you are in a positive season of life or not, I feel like we should take the pressure off ourselves to grow at a pace that may just not be meant for us. I feel like there is so much pressure in this generation to keep growing and flourishing at a fast pace, but in all truth, I think that can do more harm than good. I think the idea of growing has become a universal term for progress, which it may imply, but growth is unique to every single person on this planet and shouldn’t be used with a timeline.
If we want to grow in a way that is meaningful and something of substance, we have to slow down and shift our idea of changing with the seasons. Although the flowers will be blooming, and soon the trees will return to the color they once were, it doesn’t mean we have to. I think during this new season, we should focus on being gentle with our hearts and selves and remember that although change can be good, we should appreciate every moment of each passing season. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that we are never guaranteed positivity in every day, but in every day, there is positivity; we just have to dig a little deeper.
I think if we enter the spring season with a heart that accepts slower progress, appreciation, and growth, we will ultimately create a home within ourselves that feels accepting and maybe even something that is blooming with love. So, as I wrap up this week’s article, I encourage every reader to enter this new and upcoming season with gentleness and appreciation for how far we have all come, even in times of change. Be well, and give yourself a round of applause for everything you have done, big or small. May this incoming season bring newness and a sense of gratification.
The Beauty of Being Single: How To Build A Relationship With Yourself
April 1 2026
I love being single. I do. I love my independence and the ability to worry about my own happiness, but sometimes, it would be nice to get a text from someone other than my mom asking how my day was. Sometimes, I wish I had someone to get a sweet treat with, or someone to bake brownies with in the kitchen at 2 AM
Okay, enough with the pity party. On a real note, being single is pretty cool. You get to be selfish in a way that totally revolves around your growth and development, which is something I find hard to do when you’re in a relationship. It’s fun to just worry about your own life and not in an egotistical way, but in a I love myself and want to grow way.But sometimes, I find that our media is constantly flooding us with content that makes us long for a relationship. It’s almost like I can’t go 10 TikToks without seeing someone show off their significant other or the kind and romantic things they’ve done for them. Sure, my friends and family buying me roses for Valentine’s Day is nice, but it’s not the same. As I think about my generation’s wants, I often ask myself, “What is wrong with me?” Why can’t we be okay with being alone? Why can’t we see content involving a relationship and not feel bad for ourselves? I don’t know the answer to that question, whatsoever, but I do know it’s not a great feeling. It can be lonely, sad, and even depressing sometimes.
Although some of us may long for a TikTok-perfect relationship or a good morning text from a significant other, I think it’s important for us to sit with our feelings of singleness. What does it mean to be single? What does it mean to not have a girlfriend or boyfriend? Does it mean anything… at all? The short answer is no, but to my understanding in the world that we live in, the long answer is yes. We have become so used to seeing relationships as something you HAVE
to have. Whether it’s watching Love Island or any Rom Com, I often feel left out. But in all of my truth, there’s not much I’m missing that I can’t already give to myself. Compliments? Got it! Ice cream date? Got it!
So girls, with that being said, it’s okay if you’re single. In fact, it’s great because you are spending so much time with yourself that you will find out exactly what you want and don’t want in a relationship. You will discover the things that you want valued in yourself, and the things you know you deserve. Being single isn’t so bad. Sure, you might want a date to go on or presents to buy your significant other, but those are all things you can provide yourself in the meantime. Chin up, girls.
April 1 2026
I love being single. I do. I love my independence and the ability to worry about my own happiness, but sometimes, it would be nice to get a text from someone other than my mom asking how my day was. Sometimes, I wish I had someone to get a sweet treat with, or someone to bake brownies with in the kitchen at 2 AM
Okay, enough with the pity party. On a real note, being single is pretty cool. You get to be selfish in a way that totally revolves around your growth and development, which is something I find hard to do when you’re in a relationship. It’s fun to just worry about your own life and not in an egotistical way, but in a I love myself and want to grow way.But sometimes, I find that our media is constantly flooding us with content that makes us long for a relationship. It’s almost like I can’t go 10 TikToks without seeing someone show off their significant other or the kind and romantic things they’ve done for them. Sure, my friends and family buying me roses for Valentine’s Day is nice, but it’s not the same. As I think about my generation’s wants, I often ask myself, “What is wrong with me?” Why can’t we be okay with being alone? Why can’t we see content involving a relationship and not feel bad for ourselves? I don’t know the answer to that question, whatsoever, but I do know it’s not a great feeling. It can be lonely, sad, and even depressing sometimes.
Although some of us may long for a TikTok-perfect relationship or a good morning text from a significant other, I think it’s important for us to sit with our feelings of singleness. What does it mean to be single? What does it mean to not have a girlfriend or boyfriend? Does it mean anything… at all? The short answer is no, but to my understanding in the world that we live in, the long answer is yes. We have become so used to seeing relationships as something you HAVE
to have. Whether it’s watching Love Island or any Rom Com, I often feel left out. But in all of my truth, there’s not much I’m missing that I can’t already give to myself. Compliments? Got it! Ice cream date? Got it!
So girls, with that being said, it’s okay if you’re single. In fact, it’s great because you are spending so much time with yourself that you will find out exactly what you want and don’t want in a relationship. You will discover the things that you want valued in yourself, and the things you know you deserve. Being single isn’t so bad. Sure, you might want a date to go on or presents to buy your significant other, but those are all things you can provide yourself in the meantime. Chin up, girls.
