Valentine’s Day for Lovers and Upsetting for the Lonely

Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers, expensive bling and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.

Inflation has made the cost of Roses, greeting cards and the romantic dinner for two very expensive for sure.

History of Valentine’s Day at a Glance

The history dates back to ancient Roman times with the ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring and fast forward to the card-giving customs of Victorian England.

The Mating of Two Fowls!

Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love.

During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that Valentine’s Day should be a time for romance.

The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to record St. Valentine’s Day as a day of romantic celebration in his 1375 poem “Parliament of Foules,” writing, ““For this was sent on Synt Valentyne’s day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”

Why are People Sad on Valentine’s Day?

This day triggers anniversary reaction in people who have been through painful breakups, divorce or spouse deaths.

Their thoughts go back to the previous year when they celebrated Valentine's with their partners. Any memories of the happy past may trigger intense grief and pain in people.

If tolerating loving couples emoting all year round was not enough, you have to hear them harp about their plans for Valentine's at work, see their photographs on Instagram and resist the urge to puke reading their sweet nothings to each other on Facebook.

If these weren't bad enough, you also have to endure Valentine's Day paraphernalia lurking at every turn, mocking your single status.

 Even innocuous things like heart-shaped balloons, teddy bears, boxes of chocolate and red roses look particularly offensive during this time. You are not alone with these misgivings.

 Valentine's Day brings out the worst in many of us and there's more to do with it than just your single status.

Why the Universal Day of Love Fails to Create Warm and Fuzzy Feelings in Many of Us?

Because it reminds them of their single status. Indian society is particularly harsher on single folks since it places a lot of importance on the institution of marriage.

No matter how successful you are career-wise, you will still be judged for your unmarried status. Singles have to come to terms with spending the day alone and the thought alone can be depressing.

What about the sky high expectations? Since there is so much hype surrounding the day, couples naturally have high expectations for Valentine's.

 Couples expect their significant others to surprise them or do something truly special for them.

"In many cases, it doesn't end too well for either or one of the partners. Sometimes, their partners don't share the same enthusiasm for the day or they fail to meet their lover's expectations. And sadness and disappointment follow, inevitably," says Dr Meshram.

So, to all of my “After Hours” Newsletter subscribers, if you are in a loving relationship, just enjoy the day without breaking the bank and look forward to the rest of the year being with each other. If you are single and want to just forget that the day exists, find a good book to read, a video to watch and pray to God to keep you healthy for the rest of the year.

***I Need Your Help!***

Those of you who have followed my “After Hours” Newsletter will note that I provide actionable and transformative content. But I want much more for my loyal subscribers and you of course are included.

Unfortunately LinkedIn doesn’t give me contact information for you served on a silver platter. So, to reach out to you personally, I have to harvest your email addresses from your profiles, one at a time taking tons of hours to do so.

Can’t even get help because they look for my IP address. If someone else helps, LinkedIn will shut down my account. Yikes!

So, if you would be so kind to send me an email with your name and email address it would really help me to contact each of you independently. I have lots of good stuff that will be coming your way.

Send the info to [email protected]

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Looking forward to hearing from you and I’ve planned a few nice things for you over the next few weeks.

My email again:

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Stay safe and be well until we meet again.

Linda