Proposing new public holidays

Holidays are one of the favourite things most workers and students look forward to because it allows them to rest for a while before going back to the stress of work or school. When I was a student, I was always excited whenever I heard there was a holiday coming because it's a rare event which I cherish a lot. But when it comes to work, I didn't enjoy much holiday back when I worked in a cyber cafe back in 2017 and that's because it's a private business which isn't influenced by the government to go on holidays.

For example, this recent Eid-el Filtri holiday that was observed by workers and students in Nigeria didn't apply to some workers in the private sector, it's usually those in the public sector that enjoy such benefits. Some people still had to go to work despite the 3 days holiday, and it's mostly those who work for small firms. But for big companies or corporations like banks, most of them observed the 3-day Holiday. Nigeria only has about 11 public holidays, which is unlike some countries like India which has over 21. One day I would like to be made a public holiday is:

Valentine's Day

I still don't understand why February 14 isn't already a public holiday, it's weird that it isn't. For a very long time, I always made the mistake of assuming that Valentine's Day would be a public holiday but someone always reminds me that it isn't. The last time I made that mistake was about 2 or 3 years ago when I was still at the university, February 14 was approaching and I was looking forward to spending the day at home until my friend reminded me that it wasn't a holiday and we still had to come to school that day.

For a day that's set aside to prioritize relationships and strengthen bonds with loved ones, it doesn't make sense that I still have to go to work that day and spend more than half of the day with the people I spend the same amount of time with every day. It should be a holiday so that people can spend the whole day with their loved ones or themselves (self-love is allowed 😉). Although, you might argue that it will be overwhelming for all single Pringles out there, considering how crazy it already is despite it not being a public holiday but to be honest there won't be that much of a difference if it becomes a holiday.

Another day I think should be made into a public holiday is World Mental Health Day which is on October 10. It's a day that supports, advocates and promotes awareness for mental health issues, so why should I be going to work; a place that sometimes drives me crazy? 😅 Working a job can be incredibly stressful most of the time (I mean that's part of the reason why you're even getting paid) and it takes a toll on your mental health over time, so it makes sense that a day set aside for mental health should be a holiday for workers.

World Mental Health Day doesn't even get much recognition like the other popular holidays but considering how a lot of people are suffering from burnout and stress, it should be given more attention and made into a holiday so that people can use that opportunity to prioritize self-care and engage in activities that promote mental well-being. In the end, I believe the best place to start is making Valentine's Day into a holiday, seeing as it's already a very popular Day all over the world. As for World Mental Health Day, that will be a secondary option that can be considered after Valentine's Day has become a holiday.

Thanks for reading

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