Today is Monday, February 13, 2023, just a day before Valentine’s Day. In honor of that Hallmark company holiday, a tongue-in-cheek analysis appears online by Allison Hope that wryly notes how most Americans are too tired or too frazzled from the so-called tripledemic that “sucked the fun out of so many people’s December holidays.” This phenomenon, as you might recall, involved the triple threat of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the flu that began to plague most of us as we took refuge mostly indoors as a result of colder weather. The name of the online piece is entitled “Forget Valentine’s Day: You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling.”

In recognition of our bizarre times, Hope notes how ice has appeared in Texas and that there’s barely any snow in the Northeast, meaning here in New York, except for Buffalo that took the brunt of our winter blahs, experiencing a brutal snowstorm some weeks ago. We also learned that China cares about Montana, with the recent spy balloon debacle.

Because of the many ills bedeviling society right now, Hope extends permission to “embrace your inner Grinch this Valentine’s Day.” She envisions people sitting on the couch in one’s underwear and eating Rocky Road out of the pint with a fork on this Valentine’s Day. She sees no need to share with a loved one. She exhorts, “down with love – or at least commercial love – and up with laziness!” She cites evidence from the past year in which family gatherings were trimmed back, “respiratory infections gathered around the tree with Aunt Betty,” and one knew more about the distinctions between RSV, the flu, and COVID-19.

Thus for Hope, the charm and romanticism have been torn out of the season for many. Do you believe this? Commenting on the situation, Damon L. Jacobs, a New York City-based licensed marriage and family therapist, said, “There are a lot of things weighing on people’s hearts and minds these days. A chronic pandemic, record-breaking cold weather, threats to democracy, regular exposure to violent deaths on the news – all can lend themselves to a sense of restlessness, uncertainty, and grumpiness that romantic warmth and fuzzies cannot alleviate.”

For those who feel extra grumpy, lonely, or even heartbroken, staying off social media on Valentine’s Day can help, according to Dr. Jennifer Guttman, a New York-based clinical psychologist. She feels that for those people feeling the above emotions, going on social media will only exacerbate that frustration. She advises her clients to eschew social media and do something nice for themselves.

A licensed professional counselor, educator and researcher in Leander, Texas, Rodney Luster, advises that people can simply “lean in to the here and now” and not try to force any particular feelings, plans, or outcomes. Citing the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou, Luster says, “Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.” “Rather than setting expectations around Valentine’s Day or other big holidays, Luster recommends focusing on acknowledging that all days can contain good and bad, so just make it your day.”

In conclusion, to commemorate tomorrow’s observance of the vagaries of Cupid, it would be okay to choose the selfish, anti-Valentine’s Day path to romantic love on the one day you are supposed to be exchanging kisses with your one and only. You don’t have to fall for the hype that is associated with this day.

So I won’t tell you how to observe Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Do whatever you want: observe it or don’t. It’s all up to you.

As for us, Elliot and I are taking our friend out for dinner in observance of his January birthday. The restaurant we are going to is a small, family-owned business called Il Toscano, located in Douglaston. They will probably have a Valentine’s Day menu just for the occasion.

No matter how you honor it, I’ll wish everyone a happy Valentine’s Day anyway.

Stay safe and be well.