Valentine’s Day can bring some not so sweet emotions to singles and couples alike.
“Everyone loves Valentine’s Day when they’re with somebody. It’s when they’re single that they despise it,” Zara Malik, 22, said.
Malik will be spending Valentine’s Day single this year but said she doesn’t mind as long as she spends the day with her single friends.
According to Cirecie West-Olatunji, associate professor of counselor education, feeling alone on Valentine’s Day is very normal.
West-Olatunji said she feels Valentine’s Day adds more stress on the single folks because they may not feel complete. However, if couples have pre-existing conflicts, Valentine’s Day can aggravate relationship problems.
“There may be more relationship breakups around Valentine’s Day than new relationships,” West-Olatunji said.
Linnda Durre, certified psychotherapist believes romance, chemistry and sex are crucial to a healthy relationship, and couples need to know what defines romantic and sexy for them.
“Tell each other. Be honest,” Durre said. “If you’re not friends with your partner, it’s not a relationship.”
Durre also feels that for those whose expectations are not met on Valentine’s Day, the holiday can result in anger and depression, possibly even a breakup. She feels it’s important that people not put so much emphasis on one particular day.
“Every day should be Valentine’s Day,” Durre said. “Treating your loved one, friend or spouse with kindness, gifts and thoughtfulness shouldn’t be limited to just one day.”
