Has your partner ever not met your Valentine’s Day expectations? Maybe you’re single and this holiday makes you feel sad and lonely. Or maybe you find the whole concept of the holiday to be cringe-worthy. Whether heart-shaped pizzas and chocolates upset you or you hate the pressure of planning a perfect day for your significant other, Valentine’s Day can be a dreadful holiday.

Valentine’s Day originates from St. Valentine, a priest who was executed because he married couples in secret at a time when marriage was not allowed. This is why couples are traditionally celebrated on this day. This concept is a lot like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day because it is a specific day of the year dedicated to loved ones. Unlike those holidays, however, Valentine’s Day is overhyped by advertising that makes people feel pressured all sorts of ways. This ends up turning this holiday into something that feels forced by our peers, and not genuine. 

This holiday can also put pressure on young girls and boys who feel pressure to be in a relationship, leading to unwanted relationships and more heartbreak than happiness. “Galentine’s Day” is a way for girls to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their friends. As a society, we should try and focus on doing things like this to take the pressure away and make it a more light-hearted happy holiday that everyone can enjoy.

“I don’t feel pressure to have a boyfriend, but I notice my friends making comments about how they wish they had a Valentine,” said junior Paige Waiduck. “I think that girls should celebrate Valentine’s Day with each other because as women we should not pressure each other but empower each other.”