It's Better to Have Loved and Lost....

I like to consider myself a hopeless romantic so in a way, I do enjoy seeing all the sweet gestures and creative ideas couples come up with on Valentine's day. Nevertheless, it's the endless supply of terrible love ballads that annoy me to no end. I imagine every radio station DJ walks into the studio on the 14th, blows the dust off an old box, and inserts "Valentine's Mix" then throws in some new stuff just for flare. Isn't this holiday supposed to be about going the extra mile? I feel like it's an entire day dedicated to making us relive the nostalgic feeling we would get a 3 a.m. when we heard Celine Dion's "The Power Of Love" playing on the TV. I'm certain someone's dad is digging through an old box looking for that CD right now.

In my opinion, we should always strive to see the positives and negatives in every aspect, but if you're single, on Valentine's Day, then there is little light to look for at the end of the tunnel. Well, this year we are going to rewrite that narrative and remind ourselves that we aren't just single, we are PRO-single, or at least we can tell ourselves that. Shaking your butt to Bad Bunny's "Yo Perreo Sola" or listening to something more subtle like "The Dark" by Norman North are all acceptable forms of self care this Anti Valentine's Day.

Music helps us experience emotions we otherwise wouldn't be able to understand or express ourselves. That's why in this playlist I feature artists who make me feel good like Juice Wrld, Chiodos, and greats like Freddie Cole. It's hard not to take a trip down memory lane when we hear a track at the supermarket we used to play for our ex. Instead, we are going to challenge Valentine's Day by listening to tunes that empower us and remind ourselves that maybe, just maybe, we weren't the problem. Some good examples would be "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" by Blu Cantrell, "Roses" by Outkast and "One Day Women Will All Become Monsters" by Chiodos

I feel like the comprehensive variety of music in this playlist is the best aspect to it. We all come from different backgrounds but experience the same hardships in life. Whether you prefer metal or rap, there are benefits to enjoying both. The finesse and wordplay of rap are arguably one of the best ways to get a point across, and smoothly at that. On the other hand, screaming at the top of your lungs and headbanging is pure bliss when trying to forget about that not so special someone.

Bands like Three Day's Grace help us channel that inner animal and teach us that it's okay to be pissed off. I think the biggest flaw of Valentine's Day is that it paints a picture of the perfect day. If anyone has ever truly been in love they know that there are plenty of days when you feel like Adam Gontier during this video. Anger, like love, is an emotion and it's important to express that anger healthily. So this Anti-Valentine's Day let it all out!

In any case, it's not always easy to forget how sad being alone on a day dedicated to love can be. I believe that understanding exactly why you're sad and how you got there is the first step towards happiness. I love the song "Burn Out" by Midland for this. That lingering feeling that something may change if you stick it out is what makes moving on so difficult. That's seldom the case, so this year I'm recommending "Leave Me Alone" by Flipp Dinero. We aren't wasting any time waiting around this year! Tell them to LEAVE YOU ALONE! Albeit, both songs are included in the playlist so feel free to give them a listen.

At the end of of it all, it's only one day and much like Gloria Gaynor, we WILL survive. It's easy to sit back and poke fun at all the silly things people do in the name of love so why not? The purpose of this playlist is to remind us that just because we aren't participating in the holiday doesn't mean we can't have fun. All of the songs included will be sure to put you in a great mood. Scrolling through this playlist will give you a reason to open your mouth other than inhaling Ghiradelli chocolates all day. Happy Anti-Valentine's Day to All!