Happy Valentine’s Day! Only maybe it’s not so happy for you. Maybe the holiday isn’t an opportunity for love and celebration, but another reminder of why you’re not complete just as you are.

As a teenager, I hated the holiday. As popular girls were gifted with roses, I was often left empty handed. And in doing so, it made me feel un-special, unloved and added to my belief that only a few lucky souls deserved flowers, candy and heartfelt sentiments. And I was not one of them.

The thing is, even if you are in a relationship, all that pressure to give a gift that proves your love can be too much. It’s the reason why the malls are always packed the weekend before Valentine’s Day. Individuals searching for the perfect gift may be filled with good intentions, but the sad truth is they usually lack deep enough pockets to spoil, treat and exceed the expectations of those who receive them.

In the end, Valentine’s Day is like any day. It’s entirely what you make of it. If you’re going the gift route, make a conscious decision to give and receive without expectation. If you’re single, choose to have fun with a friend or do something good for yourself. Don’t let a holiday ruin your day. Spend it learning something new by reading our top posts of the week.

Continue reading… »