The hardships of being single during Valentine’s Day

By James Herold

Ah, February 14, it’s Valentine’s Day. For most, it’s the best day to tell that special someone you love them. This can be done through store bought items like chocolate or flowers. But for others, like me, it’s just another day of being single. Single on a day where people in love are valued more. 

According to an article by Vice, “Single people die younger than their married counterparts.” They also “drink too much.” Being pulled back and forth through these consequences is depressing. 

According to Ocolly.com, All you wanted was to go out, grab a drink and get a good dinner, because, why not? You’re single, and you like it that way. However, this is Valentine’s Day, and that’s not how things work. While everyone is trying to enjoy their romantic dinner, the only thing taking their eyes off their significant others is you as they throw pity looks your way. 

It’s already hard enough, being single. Yet you go out to your favorite restaurant and have to watch two people in love enjoy themselves while you sit eating in silence. At the same time, your friends are getting engaged and married. They talk about this for hours on end like they just won the jackpot at your local casino. 

Social Media is the worst on Valentine’s Day. On Facebook, you have the option to post “in a relationship,” or even “married.” It may seem harmless at first, but after you see your friends use it more, it digs into you like a double-edged sword. 

So why should I be negative? Why should I be so bitter? I have a family that loves me. I have a job, friends, a college newspaper I report for. It’s silly for me to think this way. But, if you’re someone with a form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome,” Valentine’s Day is even more of a nightmare. 

We “Aspies” have the hardest time talking to people already. Besides shyness, starting a conversation is like telling a bad joke. Your friends give a nervous laugh when you try to speak your mind. Imagine this with someone you like, and it’s much worse. 

To all the married couples, ones in a relationship, and one’s thinking about being in a relationship, Congratulations! You did it. I know someday this may be me. Feeling like I have succeeded in life. But for now, I sit in silence, waiting for that day to come.