Valentine's Day creates shame, debt, and comparison—then makes you question your worth. This episode breaks down why a holiday about love makes people feel worse, and gives you practical ways to navigate February 14th without losing it.

Why does a holiday supposedly about love make so many people feel worse about themselves?

Why does it create shame, debt, comparison, and performance anxiety—even in healthy relationships?

Why does it make the most grounded, self-aware person suddenly feel fragile, reactive, and covered in "shoulds"?

In this episode, Jonathan Collier and Dr. Mark Mayfield unpack the commercialized pressure cooker that is Valentine's Day.

They explore why it triggers loneliness even when you're fine being single the rest of the year, why it becomes an excuse for poor relationship habits, and how to navigate February 14th without letting it wreck you.

This one's for anyone who's ever felt the weight of this holiday—whether you're single, in a relationship, grieving, or just tired of the performance.

In This Episode:

Why Valentine's Day makes even grounded people feel unaware, fragile, and stressed

The "remote control test" and how this holiday creates temporary distrust

How Valentine's Day becomes a pressure cooker for comparison and self-worth

Infatuation vs. decisional love—and why this holiday is the former

Why some people use Valentine's Day to buy their way out of poor relationship habits

The loneliness layer: grief, singleness, and cultural messaging about your worth

Managing expectations (yours and theirs) through actual communication

What to do when Valentine's Day causes deeper issues to surface

Permission to skip it, reframe it, or make it your own

Resources Mentioned:

Capacity Audit Tool at mentalhealthmadesimple.life

Important Note:

This podcast is educational content and is not a replacement for professional counseling, therapy, or medical care. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis or have immediate safety concerns, please reach out to a licensed professional or crisis service.

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