Hang in there singles, Valentine's Day only comes once a year

Feb. 14 is a day that all singles dread. Valentine's Day leaves the singles of the world at home in front of their TVs with a romantic comedy and a tub of ice cream. This day was designed for singles to feel bad. Everyone shows off their partners and gushes about how in love they are and how beautiful their relationships are.

In reality, Valentine's Day was created by the "consumer world" to sell flowers, chocolate and cards. This day is as much about love as Christmas is about Jesus' birthday.

Couples who are truly in love shouldn't need a day to express their love or go out on a fancy date. If they're in love, they should be doing that every weekend. Some partners will even bring gifts! Even though it makes singles feel upset, Valentine's Day is supposed to be the one day each year to celebrate your love and your relationship. But the message of Valentine's Day has changed. Today, it's about the flowers and the chocolates and the gifts.

The consumer world created this day to make a profit., and in the process have indirectly contributed to the misery and self pity of millions of single people.

Flowers and chocolates are not objects that one buys every week, and they're certainly not proof of a happy couple, and yet every year when they adorn the desk of coworkers and friends, we convince ourselves it's because they're happier than we are.

This world we live in is populated by people all caught up, even dictated by consumerism. Valentine's Day isn't only about love. It's about what you buy to make your loved ones feel special and, of course, how much it costs. Essentially, it's a demonstration of how easy it is to buy the image of contentment. In today's world, sometimes even chocolates and flowers don't cut it. Barnes and Noble and Apple both send e-mails with the headliner "Valentine's Day gifts for your one and only." Of course, not all couples are constrained by consumerism, but this is what Valentine's Day has come to signify.

Remember when you were in Kindergarten and you had to bring in cards and candy for your whole class? Those were the days! You didn't have to be in love to get a card. It was all about the love that exists in friendship, and about the splendor of having moms who bought valentines day candy and cards in bulk. We were single back them and still in high spirits, so what's changed?

The best thing for all those single gentlemen and ladies to do is grab a couple of friends and have a fabulous night out. I'm guessing most of us remember when Carrie and Miranda celebrated a single V-Day on Sex in the City. Sure, they were mistaken for a happy lesbian couple, but they had a great meal and a fabulous time.

You single gents should keep your chins up, too. Think of all the energy and money you're saving by not having to buy flowers, chocolates or jewelry. Even more, you won't have to come up with original ways to tell her she looks beautiful. When you think about it, you're lucking out this year.

To all you single people out there, don't feel bad about not having a beau or a dame. You're just preventing the consumer world from eating you up. Yes, it's upsetting to not have a companion or a lover during the notoriously lovey-dovey holidays like Valentine's Day, but you don't need to be in love with someone else to enjoy Valentine's Day. You just need to have an open heart, amazing friends and good spirits. Fall in love with all the things around you that can't break your heart, forget to return your phone calls, cheat on you, lie to you, make a bad impression on your parents, or make you watch movies that you hate.

And look on the bright side—you won't have to give yourself this pep talk way again for another 365 days!

In the meantime, join the parading crowds of Chicago's non-celebrators and head to an anti-Valentines event. Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from in this city.