With January almost behind us, there are only a few weeks until what may be the most dreaded holiday of all, Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a time of love and romance for some, chocolates and cards for others; but for most high schoolers, it’s a day of bitter desperation and longing. Valentine’s Day is relatively terrible for everyone.

For single people, the day is yet another reminder that they do not have a “special someone” in their life. Not that any teenager should have even found “the one” yet.

But personally I think it’s worse for people who are in a relationship. Those who are single can choose to ignore it all. However, the last thing you want to do when you are in a relationship is ignore Valentine’s Day.

What started out as a way to bring couples together has transformed into a commercial spectacle sold to us by jewelry stores, greeting card companies, florists, and makers of the ridiculously big stuffed animals.

Now don’t get me wrong, my problem is not at all about expressing your feelings to the person you love. As a serious hopeless romantic myself, I empathize with the lovers of the holiday. My issue is being required to show your love on Feb. 14. This date has absolutely zero connection to us, and yet every year we are commanded to be romantic on this day.

Shouldn’t romance be genuine?

Shouldn’t romance be shown to your significant other daily?

Apparently not.

Through social media and television, we are conditioned to believe that Valentine’s Day must be the most passionate day of the year putting an enormous amount of pressure on us.

The truth is, you do not have to buy the perfect gift or plan an extravagant day of adventures to have a good time. In fact, you don’t have to do anything at all.

So whether you choose to go all out on the fourteenth with flowers and chocolates, or stay in and celebrate with a big bowl of ice cream and your Netflix account, just remember it’s only another day.