Don’t get me wrong; I absolutely love Valentine’s Day. Sure, it’s a major Hallmark holiday, but it’s all about being kind and loving one another, and that’s what I’m about.

This year I’m considering myself to be my valentine. To anyone that read that and pitied me, just hear me out.

I’m not one to get caught up on heartbreak. That’s not the problem here. The problem is that college is a land of uncertainty. There’s transferring and there’s distance, and your entire world can change with the snap of your fingers. It’s kind of an awesome thing for someone like me who loves change. Yeah, that could be part of the problem too.

Let’s face it. Relationships are hard. Especially when you know your life is about to branch out into one of 50 directions. I love the idea of commitment and I cherish loyalty, but I feel it’s important for me to stand on my own two feet, especially at a time when I have my future in the palm of my hand.

At this point, I have no clue where I’ll be in 5 years. I can’t even say I know where I’ll be in one.

Right now, I’m the love of my life. This time is dedicated to me, and to shaping myself into an even more awesome version of who I already am. My heart isn’t guarded, and I’m open to possibilities, but I will always be my own before I am anyone else’s.

So fellow students, single or not, stop buying into the conventional Valentine’s Day. Take this day dedicated to love and make it all about you. Whether it’s thinking about how you want to change the world, or single-handedly downing an entire box of Fannie May chocolates, do something nice for yourself. I promise you won’t regret it.