Ruby in the Sky

Today is an interesting day. Simple, it may seem at first – you’re either loving on someone or you’re not – but as you spend more time thinking about it, the web seems to get more and more tangled. In recent years especially, the idea of ‘Galentine’s Day’ has gained traction: using the day that is meant to celebrate love to celebrate the special bond you (hopefully) have with your platonic girlfriends.

First of all: what? Second of all: what? Don’t get me wrong, I think the love for your friends deserves to be celebrated, and being single is no reason to go wallow in self-pity all alone, but it seems to me that commercializing ‘Galentine’s’ is almost more capitalist than the concept of Valentine’s Day itself. Why is it that we absolutely must celebrate something today? Why is it so important that we all have some kind of feeling about it – and lastly, why does all include only women? Where are the pink advertisements and blog posts about bro-dates on February 14th? If we’re going to celebrate friendship and potentially spend tonnes on the decoration and gifts that come with that, I say we all join the fun.

As many have said before, and hopefully many will continue to see: I don’t need one particular day to show my love and appreciation. If I love and appreciate you on any day, I will let you know. Who wants to consistently wait months for the next opportunity to show someone you love them? Why not make it a habit to let people know how you feel about them, whenever there is a chance?

If you want to treat yourself to chocolate today, by all means, go ahead. If you want to use this ‘special’ day as an excuse to hang out with your friends and watch soppy movies, or gory ones, you do you! Who am I to deprive you of what brings you joy. But I just hope you know there is nothing wrong with being alone; you don’t need to have a Valentine’s or a Galentine’s date; you. are. fine. There is rarely an experience in life that is not worth having, and being by yourself is an amazing place to learn and grow from, as is being with someone (or multiple someones) you love.

We can stop to smell the flowers any day. 

There is so much joy and beauty in the world, people are not the only ones you can love… please don’t get stuck on this idea of perfect, beautiful, romantic love. There is so much more to life.