Nevertheless, Valentine's Day continues to exert pressure on both couples and individuals who are single, with social media playing an ever-growing influential role in today's context.

Psychotherapist and sexologist Bogdan Morar discusses the challenges posed by Valentine's Day and explores the perspectives of the younger generations, born after 1997, towards this celebration.

L.M.: How can we manage expectations in relationships during Valentine's Day, both externally and internally?

B.M.: Valentine's Day is considered the most romantic celebration of the year, but for many, it represents weeks of overwhelming pressure to come up with yet another grand romantic gesture to show our love. During this time, it is essential to remember that love is not confined to a single day.

External pressure persists through advertisements, portrayals of happy couples and romantic messages, aligning with our individual expectations. This alignment can potentially lead to conflict and disappointment, particularly if effective communication is lacking. Therefore, to successfully manage this day dedicated to love and connection, it is important to openly discuss our expectations: a luxurious restaurant dinner, a romantic walk in the park, or a quiet evening at home together.

In addition to expectations, it is important to become familiar with our partner's love language. If they feel loved and appreciated when receiving gifts, words of affirmation or physical touch, it is essential to try to speak their language. If not, there is a risk of conveying our affection in a manner that they may not perceive or appreciate.

L.M.: How does social media influence relationships today? Where do we seek love, and what effects do social media posts regarding Valentine's Day have?

B.M.: Social media has a negative impact on our relationships. Certainly, it serves as a platform where we can connect with others, share special moments, and explore potential connections. Nevertheless, it also provides fertile ground for comparing our lives and relationships with others, fostering feelings of inferiority, insecurity and dissatisfaction.

Posts related to Valentine's Day that we see online can add additional pressure for couples. Idyllic images and romantic descriptions of other relationships can create unrealistic expectations or dissatisfaction with our own relationships and partners. Moreover, the pressure to show the world that we have a happy and passionate relationship can intensify during this time. It is essential to be aware of the impact these posts have on us and remember that love is not measured by the number of likes. Additionally, what we see on social media is often just an edited and idealized version of reality. We cannot even imagine how many couples that present themselves as #couplegoals face unhappiness or even serious issues, such as infidelity or domestic violence. I know this because I work with such couples. Things are not always as they seem.

However, social media is also the place where more and more single individuals seek love. Every year, the percentage of couples that start online is increasing. It is a massive shift in how we approach love. If before we had limited romantic options strongly conditioned by physical proximity - most likely a neighbor, a work colleague or a fellow villager - today we have thousands of options directly on our phones. This abundance of potential partners does not have the most beneficial effect on us, as it conditions us to approach dating from a consumerist perspective. With each swipe, we objectify and reduce people to qualities we consider desirable. And the pursuit of the ideal partner can negatively influence even existing relationships, where we compare our partners with what we see online. This may incline us to think that the grass is greener on the other side. In reality, though, the grass is green where it is watered.