As February rolls around, the infatuated day of love becomes the focus of sappy hearts all around the world. The shelves overflow with a multitude of cheap chocolates and plush hearts, as retailers capitalize on the heavy income that Feb. 14 attracts. Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated across the world, but the artificial holiday is a hoax compared to what it is hyped up to be.

Although the holiday signifies a day of love and romance, it also carries the baggage of false expectations and hopes for the magical day. The day has built an unrealistic stigma on the giving aspect of the holiday. The vision of expensive roses, diamond rings and an elegant dinner adds a stressful component to Valentine’s Day and smothers the true symbolism behind it.

Psychologist, Jonathan Fader, claims “[high expectations] set us up for disappointment, when reality doesn’t match up to these unrealistic hopes.”

Not only does the holiday deliver a false expectation for couples, but also an unpleasant day for the opposite end of the spectrum: the singles. With no significant other to celebrate with, it is easy to get absorbed in the over the top affection that spews from couples during this holiday. Valentine’s Day can be seen as a nuisance to some people as their loneliness is flaunted for the public and they have yet to be struck by cupid’s arrow. 

Some people suggest that Valentine’s day is a day of celebration for those who are single or taken. Although this has its truth, the holiday has a lack of deeper meaning and seems to me like an excuse to indulge in the cliche pink and red accessories that we associate with the holiday. 

Due to Valentine’s Day many downfalls, this vanilla holiday deserves little to no appreciation. Heart-shaped balloons and cheesy Hallmark cards should not determine the foundation of relationships nor should they play with the emotions of the men and women running solo this February.