You Don’t Need A Valentine On Valentine’s Day

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With February 14 just around the corner, anticipation heightens for Valentine’s Day — an observance centered on couples showcasing love and affection. Although love takes various forms nowadays, Valentine's Day celebrations are still thought to require one essential item: a valentine or a romantic partner. This leads single people, particularly those so-called hopeless romantics, to heedlessly look for a lover.

For some time now, TikTok users have been posting point-of-view videos about their desire for an “organic encounter,” or casually meeting a person through natural interaction as opposed to through dating apps. In fact, there is one video that says, “pov: naghahanap ka ng organic encounter para may ka-date ka sa feb 14.” However, is having a Valentine certainly needed to celebrate Valentine's Day?

Real love requires commitment

As the internet becomes increasingly involved in everybody's lives, individuals become more susceptible to putting pressure on their romantic relationships. Clearly, others couldn't help but picture themselves in someone else's romantic relationship. But a shallow understanding of love can considerably distort their views, leaving out its complexities, including the sacrifices a person makes in the name of love.

Witnessing couples take over Valentine's Day on TikTok does not signify people must recklessly pair with the next man or lady, their eyes laid on. Like any flower, love takes time to bloom. For its growth, one must allot time to watering it. And to prevent its decay, they must look after it from time to time. Until they’re ready for a commitment, it is best to keep an eye on themselves first.

The illusion of cinematic love

Being a hopeless romantic can mean being hopeful to meet a special someone via an organic encounter, similar to the portrayal of couples in most romantic comedies. It is a byproduct of films promoting a manufactured version of love, containing romantic rendezvous and grand gestures. While this kind of interaction appears aspirational for others — especially with its virality on TikTok — it is also performative.

The leniency of singles to the concept of organic encounter manifests as a performance that encourages them to explore third places and patiently wait for an attractive person to collide with them. Further, it comes across as an emotional pressure to perform romance, particularly when it is carried out in compliance with a celebration such as Valentine's Day. Unless a person adopts a realistic view on relationships, involving their intense ups and downs, then romantically intertwining with anyone wouldn't be a worry.

No Valentine defines completeness

Indulging in hugs, kisses, and compliments on Valentine's Day can indubitably boost a person’s well-being. These forms of affection serve as a fertilizer, fundamental for a relationship to thrive, and require a romantic partner as the main catalyst. But just because it fosters development does not imply that it’ll be for the long term, does it?

Having a Valentine is merely a bandwagon that couples hop on to satisfy their romantic fantasy. On the surface, these relationships seem rich, as if they bring completeness. Yet when affection tarnishes, they replace each other like disposable jewelry sold on sidewalks.

Simply put, a romantic partner wouldn't make someone whole on Valentine's Day. They might be the glazed donut to the coffee of a person's romantic needs, but they don’t necessarily complete them.

Rethink romantic love

In the end, a valentine is not vital on Valentine's Day, but a better grasp of love is. Single, hopeless romantics must recognize that love in its most authentic form is a commitment — not a TikTok trend. Although they can keep their rose-tinted spectacles on, they mustn’t turn a blind eye to the hard realities of love. That way, they wouldn't need a piece of pastry to enjoy their cup of coffee.

Via Iñigo Tasani, Managing Editor