You've probably noticed all the Valentine's Day stuff taking over the shops, right? That's because the big day is next week - but honestly, I can't stand it. I get that some people love it, and that's great for them. But for me? Valentine's Day is just a bunch of over-hyped, commercialised nonsense.

Here's the thing: I don’t like being told when I should celebrate anything, especially love. Why is there this big societal push to mark a specific day as the day for romance? It's forced. It feels hollow. Love doesn’t need to be confined to a calendar, and neither do the ways we express it.

For me, Valentine's Day is just another opportunity for companies to push products and make money off something that should be personal and heartfelt. You’ve got flowers, chocolates, overpriced dinners, and cards that probably cost more than they’re worth. All of this stuff gets shoved in your face, and I just don’t get the point. It doesn’t feel special when it’s expected, and it definitely doesn’t feel genuine when it’s tied to an arbitrary date on the calendar.

I get that some people love it, and I’m not here to ruin anyone’s fun. But personally, I hate events that society tells me I should care about or participate in. If I want to celebrate love, I’ll do it on my own terms, when I feel like it, and in a way that actually feels genuine to me. 

So, while everyone’s out there scrambling to buy flowers and book overpriced dinners for their significant others, I’ll be doing my thing - wait, hold up... I just realised something. On February 14th, I’ll actually be flying out to Tenerife! Huh, maybe that’s why the flights were so pricey! But just to be clear, I’m not going because it’s Valentine’s Day. Nope, I’m heading there because it’s when the kids break up for half term (and when my friend can house-sit and look after the cat). So, yeah, take that, Valentine’s Day. You won’t catch me falling for your commercialised nonsense.

Anyway, Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone who enjoys it! Just remember, it’s perfectly fine not to buy into the hype. 💔