How to Have Your Best Recession EVER Tip #6: Resisting Valentine's Shoulds

Let's face it, this day exists for ONE reason only:

To make you afraid enough to buy things you don't really need.

If that makes sense, class dismissed.

But if you're still holding onto any of the myths and "shoulds" around Valentine's Day, then please read on. Because Valentine's Day is one of the most cruel and blatant forms of baloney placed on consumers. The idea behind all the ads for flowers, jewelry, candy, and everything else for sale is: "Buy this product or you will be alone and no one will love you."

Keep in mind, none of us have to be victims of this manipulation, ever. Now, in the midst of our worse economic climate in 70 years, it is essential that all of us get smarter about how we are receiving messages from the advertisers, and how we challenge them. We can always choose to believe fearful messages, or resist them. But how?

If you're not in a relationship:
Congratulations! You are independent, courageous, and not a victim of fear-mongering which tells you 10x a day that your value is based on having a partner. Please don't allow the corporate advertisers to convince you that there is anything wrong, abnormal, or less-than about you because you're single. Remember, they will try, and try a lot.

If you're in a relationship:
COMMUNICATE! Now more than ever it is essential you and your partner work together as a team to cope with setbacks from the Recession. This means possibly having an uncomfortable conversation about money, values, and coping with economic changes. Please, do not allow the corporate advertisers to convince you to spend money you don't have and then go into credit card debt in order to prove a point. They will try to make you feel like you are a bad lover, thrifty, unromantic, or less-than if you don't spend a lot of money. And they will try a lot.

All of this requires you to challenge some long held beliefs, take some new actions, and actually talk to your loved ones about your concerns. But I promise you that if you try this you will end up having your Best Recession EVER!