So tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, for some reason it is the one, holiday (for lack of a better word) that I as a single person, do not think too much about. But for some reason this year, I have. Here’s my problem with the whole concept. In a society of Lavalife and Myspace relationships it seems prevelant now more than ever that society dictates you’re life is incomplete unless you’re in a relationship. For all of those people out there that are in happy and healthy relationships you have my respect and credit for achieving what is proving to be an increasingly difficult feat for myself.
However, if society is telling us we need to be in relationships to be happy, then wouldn’t the reward be that you have found said person? What is it about having a relationship that translates into deserving an entire day in its honour? I realize I’m bias, but I feel like perhaps the singles out there deserve a day in their honour because they’re still looking, aren’t dating someone they know is wrong for them, are refusing to settle etc.
I know myself and I don’t seek to suggest that at certain points I’m not saddened by that fact that I am alone. In fact lately I’ve begun to consider just dedicating my life to my work as opposed to attempting to find a successful relationship, and use my sexual frustration into a successful career, haha. However a majority of the time I am content to be on my own, an opinion shared by many. Now perhaps someone could argue that we are fooling ourselves into believing being alone is what we want, but I would pose that argument back to some of the couples I’ve seen who I often wonder why they are together and question if it is merely due to convenience.
Perhaps there’s no real answer to come in questioning the logic (if there is in fact any) behind the concept of Valentine’s Day, but perhaps I will spend Valentine’s Day with some people I love (as corny as it may sound), my friends. Maybe that’s what Valentine’s Day will be about for me.
5 comments:
I agree with much of your statement. Commodification of love... and in the cyber-sphere no less, is an absurd concept. One that has no doubt attributed to the demise of a civilized, empathetic culture.
I am saddened however, that a beautiful heart such as yours would be saddened that you are "alone". I have never known you to be alone, nor have I ever witnessed a lack in people that just wish to be in your proximity at any given time.
"now more than ever that society dictates you’re life is incomplete unless you’re in a relationship".- I disagree, rates of marriage are dropping and less people are choosing to have children. It seems that the generations of asking when you're going to get married have past and the choice to dedicate yourself to work has become an acceptable ideal. Perhaps it is your sensitivity, as a single 20-something, towards the idea that you MUST be in a relationship. This Valentine's day I'm going to be thankful that I have the free will to be an independant women and choose whoever I would like to/not to spend the rest of my life with, regardless of even gender. Additionally, the fact that I am not in an abusive relationship is something to be appreciative of. There are a lot worse alternatives to being single & I see them on a regular basis now. Casey! You're a terrific person who cares deeply about so much! Celebrate your passion and love of those things tomorrow. Boys suck. Let's throw rocks at them.
who wrote the anonymous comment?
Relationships are expensive.
you should write that in chalk on a military helmet, brent
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