WHILE riding in a Tri-cab heading to the city, I was scanning the surroundings, hoping to find inspiration for a topic this week, especially in observance of Valentine’s Day. Last year, I attended a concert. It was entertaining watching priests and nuns singing and dancing with gusto. However, this year, it did not occur to me to attend one perhaps because I have a talk show on Valentine’s Day itself.
I have reached my city destination, but no inspiration hit me. Instead, I saw students walking by the side of the road, very unsafely, because the roadside areas are already filled with parked vehicles. Oh my, the city streets have really become unsafe for pedestrians.
When I was in high school and college, I was a walker. Oh yes, I was. It was good to walk every day from school to my father’s law office. It was a routine. Upon my return to my home city of Tagbilaran in the third quarter of 2022, I noticed that students were still walking. And since they do, the roads and roadsides must be safe areas for them. It’s the obligation of the city government to ensure their safety because they are residents of the city. And even if they are not, they go to school in the city, making them a responsibility of the city.
Well, I leave it to the city officials of Tagbilaran to address these immediate concerns.
Back to Valentine. What exactly are your plans?
A study reveals that the practice of Valentine’s Day has positive impacts. I believe that almost everyone feels the positive effects of celebrating this day, ranging from receiving gifts, flowers, and the like to a special dinner date or rendezvous somewhere exotic, for those who have the money to splurge, anyway. Thus, we will give more prominence to the opposite impact and the challenges brought about by Valentine’s Day.
One. Emotional stress and loneliness: The heavy association of the day with romantic love can increase “feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, or depression for single individuals,” especially those who have recently experienced a breakup. So true. Imagine everyone having a Valentine’s date, and you’re still suffering from a broken heart. That totally sucks!
Two. Social comparison and pressure: Unfortunately, social media frequently emphasizes “perfect” relationships—as though such a thing exists—and expensive gifts, making individuals with meager resources and who live simple lives feel inadequate and lacking if they cannot keep up. Too sad. It takes fortitude not to be carried away by the trend.
Three. Financial strain: The pressure from social media (again) and society, including friends and even loved ones, “to spend money on extravagant gifts can create financial stress, with many feeling obliged to participate in costly traditions.” And for what? To keep up with the Joneses? At the end of the day, it’s your credit card that pays for it and none other.
Four. Environmental impact: “Traditional gifts, such as imported flowers, plastic packaging, and non-recyclable cards, contribute to waste and high carbon emissions.” I cannot argue with that. Imagine the plastic packaging that wraps every bunch of flowers all over the country. Well, if you ask me, I would rather my flowers be given sans wrapping. They look genuine that way. A bouquet of fresh flowers is as real as it gets.
According to another study, men spend more on gifts (68%) during Valentine’s Day compared to women (60%). It must be because men are expected to dazzle women on this day. I cannot help but chuckle at the pressure.
So, how do single women celebrate the day?
For starters, single women can have coffee or a delicious meal, if their budget allows, and engage in the quintessential activity of women: talk. Nothing beats an enjoyable conversation. Or proceed to your favorite salon and change that hair color or hairstyle. Buy a good book and read until you drop. Listen to music while snacking with girlfriends. Enjoy a short trip and walk by the seashore with or without company–who knows your valentine’s multiverse and yours will intersect there! Or simply treat yourself to something creative that day. I’m sure there are a hundred and one ways to entertain yourself on Valentine’s Day.
So, what are you waiting for? Go, pamper yourself, and be your own valentine!
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The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales every Saturday, 10 a.m., at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. Email at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Follow us on X @ShilohRuthie./PN
