Lots of people dread being single on Valentine’s Day, but I actually feel that in some scenarios, it can be much better and feel less lonely. In my opinion, there’s lots of pressure around us to get into a relationship. For example, if you see a TikTok trend about couples, you might feel urged to get into a relationship, and there becomes a social pressure to date someone. But, being single on Valentine’s has its own perks. For example, being single on Valentine’s Day allows you to give more attention and time to ALL of the people you love, rather than just your significant other.

Yaiza Fernandez Munoz ’23, who has had experience in the dating field, says, “A healthy relationship on Valentine’s Day can be really meaningful and create happiness.” Fernandez Munoz believes that Valentine’s Day should also be dedicated to everyone you love, like family and friends; when she was in a relationship, she tried to balance time between her friends and her partner.

Abigail Kim ’25 believes that Valentine’s Day relationships are “cute.” She notes the five types of love: eros (intimate love), philia (friendly love), storge (familial love), philautia (self-love), and agape (unconditional love); Kim reveals her experience with philia, storge (especially from her mother), and philautia. However, she has never experienced eros and agape, except for the time a guy stole her a Jolly Rancher. Kim believes it would be fun just to try out having a Valentine, remarking, “I think it would be a really fulfilling experience.”

Another benefit of being single on Valentine’s Day is spending time with yourself. Both Fernandez Munoz and Kim believe that self-prioritization is important, and being single on Valentine’s Day because of that is good, especially for yourself. Additionally, Fernandez Munoz comments that entering a relationship without knowing yourself can cause the relationship to not go well. Emily Chan ’25, who has never had a relationship, adds that being single on Valentine’s Day creates more time for yourself and your friends. She loves celebrating and writing valentines for friends as well as spending time on herself.

Honestly, being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t seem to be that bad! The current media and pop culture presents a pressure for single pringles to get into a relationship. But, being single allows us to focus on ourselves and everyone that we love, like our families and friends. So, do not be ashamed of your single status this Valentine’s Day, and appreciate all of your loved ones and yourself!