Love is in the air?

Oh great. It’s Valentine’s day, again.

This whole pandemic situation has made time whip by so fast I’m struggling to remember what month we are in; let alone what the day is.

It was only yesterday when I uploaded an alternative V-day 2020 playlist and now, it’s two days away, again?! How does this keep happening? During lockdown the days can be painfully slow, sometimes dragging slower than an old turtle on sedatives, yet here we are, mid-February once again…

I’m single. Seriously single; Obviously. Not necessarily as proudly single as I was last year, but these are the cards I’ve been dealt, and I’m okay with it. It’s just a sad fact that right now, we can’t mix and match. It’s pretty much illegal to get close on a date in the park. I often look at my coupled-up friends and pine over the hugs and hand holding, those little moments after you’ve finally chosen what to watch on Netflix and jump under the covers for a proper kiss; but then I have that lightning bolt memory of what happens around now and those feelings dissipate pretty quickly.

There is just so much pressure to perform around this time of year and during lockdown a whole new level of anticipation has been created. I do not envy the man or woman who is feverishly watching out for the Amazon or Love Honey delivery dude to drop off the latest present ready for the big day. It is overwhelming. Tailored adverts are filling my newsfeeds with boxed flowers and trinkets. From Cartier to his ’n’ hers heart necklaces, even at-home Covid tests have been given a Valentine’s Day make over and well, condom adverts are rife. I dread to think what the algorithm is pumping out to coupled up ladies and gentlemen. Most likely an onslaught of see-through underwear in vomit inducing neon colours or petrol-powered pocket dildos rammed full of the latest technology enabling you to share to the world your heart rate and take a selfie mid pump. Even our favourite restaurants have evolved by creating romantic food kits which have been built specially to help the hubby along. It’s all about showing the one you love (and your “friends” online) how much you love your other half, as commercially as possible. Or at least that’s what the ad men and big brands are forcing down our throats.

With everything so sexualised online, dewy plumped lips, squeezed assets, rippling abs and knowing smirks, we have been trained to get out there and consume. This modern love is killing the romance. It is assumed; the more we buy, the harder we’ll get laid. We are subtly led to believe if you don’t purchase this, that or the other, you simply don’t love your partner enough. In fact, if you refuse to get these things, there could be trouble in paradise and you too will be on the street (with me) arms stretched begging for love at the local tube station.

My advice which is as useful as a white crayon pen on blank paper; is to communicate with your partner. Make a mixtape and relax. Lockdown has stripped us of our materialism, so this year, why not show your love in a different way? The flowers and chocolates are great, but when was the last time you sat up until dawn talking of everything and nothing at the same time? Or when was the last time you just stayed in bed getting up to no good for the whole day? And if you cook, why not do it together, and get fruity over the dessert. You won’t regret it. Unless it’s a chocolate swirl surprise and the biproduct looks like a dirty protest across your kitchen surfaces when you’ve finally finished.

So, love is in the air, but not as we know it. If we can take the positives from this pandemic it is that we have been forced to see our friends, family and partners for who they truly are. We have been stripped bare of our egos. Without the distractions of work, the masks of make up or a good suit, we are who we are. That in itself should be celebrated. So please enjoy, whether you are coupled up or not. Share the love meaningfully without all the bells and whistles, you’ll feel so much better for it in the end. Roll on 2022 when we will hopefully be allowed to date again.