A Gentle Valentine's Day Mental Health Reminder

Valentine's Day sucks. It sucked when I was single, and it still sucks now that I'm married. It's a day that comes with a slow build up to huge expectations that usually don't pan out as you dreamed they would. Valentine's Day is a whole mood. Most of us get really depressed on Valentine's Day, and at the end of the day could give two shits about chocolates, flowers or any romantic gesture really. We may feel jealous when Karen in accounting receives a big beautiful bouquet of flowers from her boyfriend. Or maybe you will get really disappointed because your husband couldn't be bothered to even pick you up a card. Whatever the bummer reason, it's very easy to feel sorry for yourself and wonder why Valentine's Day hates you.

But fuck that. Seriously. Valentine's Day is the actual worst and we all know it. Why do we allow ourselves to get so worked up over a sappy and unrealistic Hallmark holiday that truly means nothing? Why do we view it as a day to be sad over what we think is missing in our relationships and our lives?

And, if Valentine's Day rocks for you then yay for you! You are a rare bird. And I am happy for you. But you know what? I'm not going to use your happiness as a weapon to make myself feel bad. And please don't be a dick, gushing over whatever romantic thing your partner has done for you. Keep that shit to yourself. We truly do not want to hear it. Just smile to yourself and know that you had a good day. No need to broadcast. Be empathetic and understand that Valentine's Day is a tough day for the majority of us.

Also, remember that it's okay to be sad on Valentine's Day. In fact, it's totally normal! But you have to own it. Work to accept your difficult feelings. Embrace them and then accept them for what they are and then move on. Focus your energy on something positive. Write your feelings down in your journal. Take some time to sit quietly and meditate. Get lost in a really good book, or binge watch something good on Netflix. Cry if you need to. Do something for someone else. Hell, do something for yourself. Take yourself out to dinner, buy yourself that piece of jewelry, or go get a massage.

Take whatever step are necessary for you to find balance again. Get to a place where you can love yourself again. You have to take care of #1 and you aren't going t do that by obsessing over why Valentine's Day failed you. The sooner you accept your feelings and come to terms with the fact that Valentine's Day fucking sucks, the sooner you can spend time loving yourself. And you can't love others without loving yourself first.

Happy Valentine's Day sweet readers.

I hope you are able to find peace and feel loved today. And if not, that's okay.

I appreciate, am grateful for and love you so much!