Alone on Valentines Day for the first time in 8 years. Do I feel immediate anger and a rush of pressure to do something in honor of my loneliness on the dreaded V day? Yes, I do. But do our readers feel this impending senses of doom as well?

Nearly 40% of Kent Connect’s readers that voted, said that they do not celebrate valentines day. This could this be down to the pressure society puts on the occasion, through romantic expectations, relationship status and the misconceptions of singleness. Of Kent voters, 70% agreed that they feel pressured by society around the holiday of love. 

However, when dissecting the reasons why, social media became a provocative point in assessing our Valentines concerns. A split decision from our readers when asked; “Do you think that pressure only exists because of social media?” Just over 50% believe that social media is to blame. And by presenting the edited version of ourselves online, we collectively create an unrealistic view of each others lives outside our own. This issue has been the catalyst for a worldwide mental health crisis, and lockdowns and the pandemic have only heightened the negativity we are suffocated by. 

Regardless of relationship status and position, we all consume some kind of pressure, ignorantly pushed on social media. If you have a partner, they aren’t spoiling you enough, if you’re single, you’re not going out partying enough. When Valentines Day comes around, we are made to feel that our love lives are something to be not only shared, but compared. Single, divorced, married or taken, perhaps we put down the phones, and celebrate whatever love we have around us. And a nice glass of wine wouldn’t go a miss.