by Wendy Brock

Created on: August 08, 2011

Why is Valentine's Day BittersweetValentine's Day is a day meant for sharing romantic love with your partner, but when you are single, the day can be very lonely. It's the only day of the year that encourages celebrating your love for your partner. For people who are single because they are divorced, widowed, or just haven't found their true love, Valentine's Day can feel very bittersweet for them. 

When a person wants to avoid reminders of being in a relationship, Valentine's Day can seem like the worst holiday. Every grocery store and convenience store sells candy, flowers, and other gifts to remind shoppers about the holiday. Television commercials for diamonds, jewelry, and other pricier gifts are shown on major network channels to gain the most exposure.  

When co-workers are receiving flowers for Valentine's Day, it can be very hurtful to not receive them yourself. To watch as other people rejoice in the happy throes of love can only remind you that you are alone. This day might be a happier one if you had someone to celebrate it with, but when you don't, the holiday is easily resented.

Trying to find something to do on Valentine's Day to keep your mind off the day can be a chore. Going to the video store to rent some movies to watch by yourself is not only saddening, but why is it that you only notice the romantic comedies? Or that you notice how many couples are in there together renting movies to watch. All of these reminders that you are alone is why Valentine's Day is so bittersweet. If you had someone to be with, then you wouldn't even think that this holiday was horrible. The thought wouldn't even cross your mind. 

In many situations, a stressful event could have occurred during a previous Valentine's Day that causes yearly reminders. Maybe a loved one passed away around February 14th or a terrible break-up happened years ago around the same time. Sometimes it is hard to forget traumatic times when they happen so close to a holiday and each year you are reminded of the same emotions that you felt. 

No matter what traumatic event can occur or how long ago it happened, a person can still recall the feelings from that event many years later. When bad things happen around Valentine's Day, then the person is always reminded of that event every year when Valentine's Day comes around. Time makes it easier to deal with those feelings, but the memory is usually always there.

For children in elementary school, the day can be bittersweet, too. The child may spend an entire evening signing and preparing Valentine's Day cards to his or her classmates. When the child goes to school the next day, if they do not receive as many cards back as they give out, it can be a traumatic experience. 

Children are very sensitive about feeling like they are loved. If parents don't recognize the holiday for their children or give a gift, some children may feel left out. Each child is different, but all children want to feel loved and Valentine's Day is a perfect day to show them a little extra love. However, for those children who don't receive it, they can grow up to feel the day is very bittersweet.

Even though Valentine's Day is meant for sharing love and friendship, the day can seem very sad and bittersweet to those who have no one to share and celebrate the day. If you know someone who is alone on Valentine's Day, stop by and visit them and bring them some baked cookies. A small gesture can really mean a lot to someone who is alone and can help them feel better about the Valentine's Day holiday. 

Learn more about this author, Wendy Brock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.