Coping with unrequited love on Valentine’s Day

For many, unrequited love is harrowing. Love exists in a multitude of forms, so on the day we celebrate love, let's spare a thought for those out there whose romantic feelings have not been reciprocated. If you are on the receiving end of unrequited love, chances are, you do not look forward to Valentine's Day or, worse, dread its arrival.

While friends might think you're a tad dramatic for feeling empty at the sight of all the bouquets, chocolates, and couples on Valentine's Day, know that it is completely fine to feel this way. From passionate limerence to mild admiration, no matter how strong your feelings are, this day full of romance and happiness can be a harsh reminder of unrequited love.

Being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way can be unpleasant. It can make you feel like you are not enough or that something is wrong with you. You might start looking for red flags within yourself that don't really exist. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and self-doubt.

On Valentine's Day, the emphasis on love can magnify such feelings. It can be difficult to see others around you exchanging gifts, sending flowers, and going on romantic dates when you are left with unreciprocated feelings. While the feeling of missing out on something almost everybody else seems to be enjoying can be overwhelming, it is crucial to remember that unrequited love is a common experience and that you are not alone.

Here are a few ways you can cope with the feeling of missing out on Valentine's Day:

Connect with your friends

Love is not limited to romantic relationships. Often times it can be found in the form of friendship and familial love, which can be just as meaningful and fulfilling. Reach out to your friends, especially the single folks. Catch up on how they're doing, and have a good laugh in the process.

Write about it

Writing about your feelings often helps. It serves as an outlet for emotions and can provide an opportunity for reflection. Don't worry if it isn't the most heart-wrenching elegant piece of literature ever written. You're writing it for yourself anyways.

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When you're single but your friends are not

Spend time doing things you like

Always wanted to read up on wave-particle duality? Bake a cake? Watch a trash TV show? There is no better time than now. Preoccupation is powerful, and it might just do the trick for you. In fact, you might be having even more fun than some people out on dates.

Beyond Valentine's Day, I hope you find romance where your feelings are reciprocated. It is important that you do not invalidate your feelings and acknowledge that they make you beautiful and human.

As Ted Mosby famously said in How I Met Your Mother, "Love is the best thing we do."

Bipra Prasun Das is an impassioned idealist and loves getting academic validation. Send him aesthetic sky pictures at bipraprasun22@gmail.com