February is the month of love, or at least that is what most people think when you mention February. Most think the time of love ends when Feb. 14 passes, especially since Feb. 15 is National Singles Awareness Day. However, most have not heard of Anti-Valentines Week.   

I know what you are thinking when you hear Anti-Valentine’s; most people would think it is against love and against the holiday itself. Well, this unofficial holiday is a quirky way to celebrate being single or looking more in-depth at your relationship, so the name can be a bit misleading. 

 Anti-Valentine’s week starts Feb. 15 and goes on to Feb. 21. This unofficial holiday is packed full of lighthearted ways to embrace self-love and forget about past relationships. Now, the start of Anti-Valentines week does stay true to the anti-part of love.  

Feb. 15 is not only National Singles Awareness Day but also “Slap Day,” a very symbolic, and I do mean symbolic, way to “slap” away the exaggerated romanticism of Valentines Day. It is a way to make fun of all the pressure of making Valentines Day “perfect.” It is also to remind you that it is okay to be single, and you do not need another person to make your life special.  

Feb. 16 is otherwise known as “Kick Day.” This fun day is a great way to “kick” away all negativity or stress lingering from Valentine’s Day and to just relax and remember that you do not need one special day to celebrate your love for others or yourself. 

Feb. 17 is the day of perfume. This is just a goofy day to surround yourself with great scents, maybe even treat yourself to something special. It is a great excuse to go out and get yourself a new perfume or even cologne. 

Feb. 18 is a day full of flirting, or “flirt day,” and it is a day full of fun flirtatious banter, which is a great and fun fluff of a day with no real need for commitment.  

Feb. 19 is a bit more on a serious note. “Confession day” is a day to get stuff off your chest, promoting a day of communication and honesty.  

Feb. 20 is “missing day,” which takes more of a somber note. It is a day to reflect on past loved ones that may be absent from your lives.  

Feb. 21 is not promoting anything but calling you to reflect on your relationship and see if it no longer serves you. So, “Breakup Day” is just another day of deeper reflection.  

Take this wonderful week to reflect on yourself and the ones you love. It is a wonderful way to kick back and “slap” all the goofiness and pressure of Valentines and remember that your relationship is hindered on one day of love.  

Zoe Booth is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at zoe.booth@und.edu