Why I choose not to celebrate Valentine's Day

I am no advocate of negativity nor dourness. Yet, personally, I can only find today a day which is nothing more special than any other day. Many people will enjoy the festivities of Valentine's Day, but it isn't for me.

I cannot take away the joy, happiness and feelings of romance that Valentine's Day brings to many people, nor would I ever want to. But, despite my happy go lucky personality, today is the kind of day when my stiff upper lip and my conservative sense of being really prevails. 

I also get really worried and intrigued about the whole commercialisation of a day like today. Everywhere you go, things spring up everywhere with connotations of love, red and roses. Shops, stalls, posters - you name it - there's bound to be a mention of Valentine's Day somewhere. It's in your face, whether you approve of it or not.

Love is a 365/366 day a year thing, not just for one day in the year. I just cannot subscribe to the idea of reserving my purchase of a bunch of roses, chocolates or a card to just one day, not that I need to anyway. If love is so important to couples, then why can't this be continuously and unambiguously shown and celebrated throughout the year? 

Not that all of this bothers me anyway, because my independence remains in tact. I don't doubt for a moment that many couples live up to the magic of love, without failure. But as far as Valentine's Day is concerned, I just cannot and, dare I say it, want to live up to the hype of a day like this.