Valentine’s Day, like all holidays, has been changed by social media and the digital age. However, this holiday faces some unique challenges that can be difficult to navigate whether you’re single or taken.
I’m sure you can already picture it: it’s Saturday morning, you wake up, check your phone and are immediately hit with hundreds of Valentine’s Day Instagram stories. Before you know it, you may find yourself stalking pages of people you don’t even know. The tags can be tempting, but this Valentine’s Day, I suggest taking a minute to ask yourself: “why?”
Going analog has become a trend recently as more and more people attempt to detach themselves from their devices. Try to be present in the moment. Not everything is about capturing the perfect picture. Whether you are on a dinner date or hanging out with friends, put that phone away or maybe try sticking to a digital camera so you don’t get distracted by other apps.
Too often do people plan their Valentine’s Day plans around social media posts, instead of the posts resulting from the plans. The best pictures are usually the authentic ones and the ones that are spontaneous. It is okay, and probably more fun to have a messy Galentine’s party than a neat, color coordinated event planned around showing off the setup. While it can be fun to decorate, question the reason as to why you are doing so. Do your decorations align with you or some post you saw on Pinterest?
Now, I know that posts have become a gesture in a way — similar to giving someone a card — but it is important to not let these posts consume you. Social media is supposed to be fun, so keep it that way. There is no reason to stress over an intricate Valentine’s Day post which may leave you disappointed if your partner does not do the same. People also may be wondering if it is too early to share a picture of their partner or if they need to “soft launch,” but do what you want! Post your photo and move on to the real fun of your day.
The problems associated with Valentine’s Day and social media may also be the direct products of online dating itself. Humans are visual, but with the popularization of dating apps like Tinder and Hinge, the early stages of romantic relationships have become increasingly looks-based. Maybe this is the reason why people are so quick to show off the best photos of their partner on Valentine’s Day; their looks may have been the only thing that drew them in initially.
By no means am I telling you not to post on social media tomorrow. I am just suggesting that you do so with genuine purpose and continue to experience your day — whatever your plans may be — authentically. If that means posting your picture, then logging off social media for the day, there’s no shame in that. But if that also means taking out your camera to capture a surprise moment, then that is also okay! Just remember to live your day through the lens of your eyes and not your iPhone.