{"id":232,"date":"2017-02-10T23:54:54","date_gmt":"2017-02-11T04:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/?p=232"},"modified":"2017-02-10T23:54:54","modified_gmt":"2017-02-11T04:54:54","slug":"just-another-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/2017\/02\/10\/just-another-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Another Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We are all aware of the supposed most romantic day of the year which is rapidly approaching: VALENTINE&#8217;S DAY. We began being reminded of this two whole days after Christmas, some stores didn\u2019t even wait until after Christmas to begin putting out all the heart shaped chocolate boxes, over sized teddy bears, jewelry specials and overdone red d\u00e9cor with cupid\u2019s chubby butt hanging from the ceiling. <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/media.giphy.com\/media\/qdMvM17dCNnSo\/giphy.gif?resize=347%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for cupid gif\" width=\"347\" height=\"195\" \/>Personally? I couldn\u2019t possibly care less about Valentine\u2019s Day and it doesn\u2019t matter whether I\u2019m single or in a relationship, it\u2019s just another day on the calendar to me. Who are the greeting card people, florist and chocolate makers to tell you how and when to show your love and adoration for someone else? And, why should you wait for this one day out of 365 to show your love? Never made much sense to me.<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/m.popkey.co\/775507\/y0dVO.gif?resize=219%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for seriously face gif\" width=\"219\" height=\"170\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The lack of enthusiasm for the \u2018specialness\u2019 of this one day didn\u2019t begin when I became single, I felt the same way when I was married. My former spouse, affectionately referred to by me as \u2018the wasband\u2019, and I agreed if we weren\u2019t showing love, adoration, affection and romance throughout the year, one day wouldn\u2019t make the difference in our relationship. In fact, if that was the ONLY day we exhibited any of those traits, our relationship was in deeper doo-doo than we were aware. Even though our relationship didn\u2019t last, lack of romance was not the key factor in the demise of it.<\/p>\n<p>Romantic gestures aren\u2019t always of a financial or materialistic nature. When you\u2019re in a relationship, that good morning\/good night text is a gesture so many overlook as being romantic. In a marriage, picking up your dirty draws off the floor and actually putting them IN the laundry basket means more than some chocolate. And if you actually wash, dry <strong>and <\/strong>fold an entire load of laundry without turning everything pink?! My heart\u2019s aflutter with passion!<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/az616578.vo.msecnd.net\/files\/2016\/06\/30\/636028842034160699-1933104735_Folding-Laundry-GIF-Adult-Piece-Dirty-Laundry.gif?resize=304%2C171&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for man doing laundry gif\" width=\"304\" height=\"171\" \/> A woman taking her man out to dinner on a Tuesday and picking up the check is another gesture too few do on any kind of basis. When our girls were younger, the wasband doing the nightly ritual of bathing and putting them in bed so I could relax touched my heart and meant more than some fancy meal at a restaurant on Valentine\u2019s Day. Either washing and vacuuming out my vehicle or taking it to get detailed is yet another gesture of love and appreciation. Again, it\u2019s the little things which mean the most in the game of love.<\/p>\n<p>When you are single, this made up holiday can make you feel lonely and unwanted because all you see everywhere is couples looking so happy in love. You try to casually scroll thru social media and there are constant ads reminding you that you won\u2019t be receiving any chocolate or flowers in a few days. <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/33.media.tumblr.com\/bb8661e3d74eed7a6c25980581407dc9\/tumblr_inline_nghoexsktl1rkygkg.gif?resize=270%2C146\" alt=\"Image result for third wheel gif\" width=\"270\" height=\"146\" \/>To those in relationships, you have high expectations of your Boo doing something uber exciting, romantic and fabulous on that one day. For those providing the services, there is so much pressure shown via social media, tv and magazines, you want to make sure to spend and be creative enough to measure up to the hype of a fictional holiday. Yes, I called it a fictional holiday because we don\u2019t get the day off work, children still go to school, therefore, it\u2019s not a holiday. For 364 days of the year, there\u2019s so much emphasis on learning to love ourselves but on this one day it\u2019s about proving your love to another and lavishing then with gifts. <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thatscoop.com\/img\/big\/2015-11-10-10-02-48_5641c0c879caf.gif?resize=330%2C175\" alt=\"Image result for shopping for another gif\" width=\"330\" height=\"175\" \/>Forget about yourself on February 14<sup>th<\/sup>, it\u2019s all about another person and how much you spend is supposed to show how much you care.<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/themidnightalliance.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/07\/iiii-dont-know.gif?resize=374%2C211\" alt=\"Image result for as if gif\" width=\"374\" height=\"211\" \/>I probably sound like a curmudgeon about love and romance but, in reality, I\u2019m actually the sappiest and mushiest person you\u2019ll ever meet when it comes to it. I just don\u2019t like or agree with Valentine\u2019s Day being dictated as the only day to show your love. Where\u2019s all the romantic candies, jewelry and lingerie on August 12<sup>th<\/sup>? What\u2019s wrong with sending\/receiving flowers or even just a single rose simply because it\u2019s Tuesday and you were on their mind? <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/38.media.tumblr.com\/tumblr_lpzqll7OL31qb5btj.gif?resize=263%2C174&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for receiving flowers gif\" width=\"263\" height=\"174\" \/>Ever sent a card to your Boo\u2019s job? Think about it, they\u2019re sitting at work and go to check their mail slot, anticipating nothing more than junk flyers about seminars and there\u2019s a handwritten envelope with their name on it with a card inside from you letting them know you are thinking of them. Yes, this is what I did for my wasband when we were married; I\u2019d go and get a handful of the $.99 cards and spread them out over the month so he\u2019d be surprised all the time. <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn1.theodysseyonline.com\/files\/2014\/11\/20\/635520961476244888798720642_tumblr_inline_mgrr62xnrl1rsns0p.gif?resize=300%2C167\" alt=\"Image result for opening a letter gif\" width=\"300\" height=\"167\" \/>See? Sappy and I don\u2019t even care, I embrace this quality about myself and welcome it with open arms and you should too. Never let someone make you feel corny for showing someone you care about them, it doesn\u2019t make you look weak and, more importantly, it\u2019s not about them.<\/p>\n<p>Now that I\u2019m single, I am not fazed by this one day, nor am I fretting and walking around moping because I don\u2019t have a Boo to lavish roses and candies on me. I don\u2019t sweat this day because I have no problem doing for myself. Now, some men will read that and believe I feel I\u2019m one of those new-fangled independent women who claim they don\u2019t need a man for sh*t, refusing to even let him hold the door for her to walk into a store or restaurant. HA! That\u2019s so not me! When I am in a relationship or dating someone, I expect those doors to be opened for me, it\u2019s how I was raised and what I demand. <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/i.imgur.com\/bIrfIRx.gif?resize=212%2C189\" alt=\"Image result for gentleman opening door gif\" width=\"212\" height=\"189\" \/>Again, something so small which makes a huge difference. Please understand, though, opening doors for a woman is more of a show of respect than a romantic gesture. If you\u2019re only holding those doors open in an attempt to get laid, there\u2019s nothing romantic about the reasoning behind it and doesn\u2019t guarantee sex.<\/p>\n<p>Now that that\u2019s cleared up, let me get back to how I will and do spoil myself and why it\u2019s so crucial I feel others should do the same. Before I had a cat who would eat them, I bought myself flowers on a regular basis because I like looking at them and they make me smile. I still buy flowers occasionally, now I just place them really high and inconvenient for the petal eater to get to but still in my constant line of sight. If I\u2019ve had a long day or just want to feel pampered, I draw myself a nice bath with some bubbles and essential oils, light some candles and play soft music as I soak with a nice glass of wine and relax. <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static.vinepair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/stage_8.2.gif?resize=355%2C156\" alt=\"Image result for woman soaking in bath with wine gif\" width=\"355\" height=\"156\" \/>If I want some chocolate, I\u2019m going to get myself some chocolate, not wait on someone else to think of me and get it for me. Do I enjoy having a Boo do these things for me? Sure I do, who doesn\u2019t? I just know I am fully capable of loving myself and refuse to let one made up holiday get me down because I don\u2019t currently have anyone filling that role right now.<\/p>\n<p>No matter your romantic situation at the moment, don\u2019t let the pressures of that one day stress and depress you, making you feel you somehow inferior due to the standards of the greeting card industry. No one can dictate what romance is to you because what makes me smile may piss you off and hold no emotional value, we\u2019re all different. Keep doing for yourself and those you love every single day of the year, don\u2019t wait until you see the cherub once a year to attempt to put forth some effort. Oh, wait, there is something I do like and appreciate about Valentine\u2019s Day: 75% off of all the candy on February 15<sup>th<\/sup>!<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.ifcdn.com\/images\/2a011f6d4f8cac20ec4c47d819c90030faabed0f78a8e7c3f8871f1e68efcc97_1.gif?resize=188%2C154&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for after valentine's day sale gif\" width=\"188\" height=\"154\" \/> \u00a0See you on the clearance aisle next Wednesday, I&#8217;ll be the one with the cart full heart shaped clearance items!<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-media.unidays.world\/media\/dbd226fb-691f-44bb-889f-1fda9c9e346c\" alt=\"Image result for shopping a sale gif\" width=\"316\" height=\"174\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are all aware of the supposed most romantic day of the year which is rapidly approaching: VALENTINE&#8217;S DAY. We began being reminded of this two whole days after Christmas, some stores didn\u2019t even wait until after Christmas to begin putting out all the heart shaped chocolate boxes, over sized teddy bears, jewelry specials and &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/2017\/02\/10\/just-another-day\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Just Another Day&#8221;<\/span><\/a><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7va7x-3K","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/grownwomanflow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Best-day-to-love-e1486788670441.jpg?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=232"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237,"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232\/revisions\/237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grownwomanflow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}