The Holidays is the time of year where most couples either end their relationship, or go scatter-brains looking for one (when they never last long into the New Year, anyway). Because if you’re sporting the single life during the Holidays, you’re inevitably a miserable person. Wrong – society created this perception that Christmas is all about romance – when it isn’t.
I spent plenty of years embracing the fact I was a single gal through the Holidays and into the New Year. Sure, did I envy those who had someone special to share it with? Absolutely. But I still without a doubt loved Christmas – and not for that aspect. People are just simply happier during this time of year – livelier, so to speak. Plus, I loved the traditions of Christmas regardless whether someone was in my life, or not.
And more times than not – when I had someone for the sake of not being alone for the Holidays – I was left more annoyed. Annoyed of the fact I had to spend time with someone I wasn’t truly into (my mind tricking me into thinking I was, but that I didn’t want to be considered the girl who was “alone” for Christmas), feeling the need to spend my hard earned money on, and knowing that once the next year broke in – I would soon lay this false sense of self fulfillment to rest.
So you’re single for the Holidays – this is the time to embrace it! Embrace it for what the Holiday truly means, without letting yourself fall into a pity party (you’ll spend a quarter of the year miserable if you allow yourself to). And there are 7 ways you can embrace the single life during the Holidays and NOT be miserable.
7 Ways To Embrace Single Life
During The Holidays
& NOT Be Miserable
Volunteer
There’s plenty of ways you can donate your time, or money, over the Holidays. From soup kitchens and children’s charities like Toys for Tots, to pet shelters and nursing homes.
Instead of sitting home on the couch each night and day, get out and give back to those who are struggling and are really in need. Plus, it keeps your mind busy and you’ll have a better sense of what Christmas is truly about.
With that said, have more of the “giving” mindset
Sometimes it’s the simple fact that most “singles” want that special someone to be able to share the Holiday with. Understood. But, an SO isn’t the only special person that should be in your life, and not the only someone in your life to share the Holiday with.
It’s times like the Holidays to feel blessed for what we do have – not count the things we do not. Whether it be friends, family or co-workers – its the spirit of giving that makes Christmas the most excitable time of year. And you can share the memories of Christmas with not just a special someone.
Actually go to the Holiday parties and Christmas work functions
“I’m not going to the Christmas party where everyone will be coupled up, and prancing around in their precious happiness together while I’m singled out!” Ok, scrooge – because that’s what you are, simply because you’re unhappy about the fact others around you are happy.
Only you control your own feelings. You’re unhappy because you’re single – everyone knows it when you refuse to engage yourself in the Holiday festivities or take part in work functions that accommodate the appearance of “couples“.
Go to the Christmas parties, work Holiday festivities and family gatherings – you might surprise yourself to know that simply being around people and engaging in social environments will do more good than harm. Plus, you’re likely to get invited to other planned or desired gatherings if others know you’re showing interest!
Spend extra time with family
So maybe you’re not that close to family, or even your parents. Or maybe you’re with them every Holiday – so what? Make amends, let bygones be bygones, put things in the past, forgive and forget, move forward, or get closer. Simply utilize this extra time during this period of your life. You do only get one life, and one family.
Focus on a better you
That something you wanted back in July but it was more than 3 months rent to pay for it? Buy it. Do something for you – for your hard earned work. Take this time to do the things you’ve been putting off, or recharging your life through opportunities, risks, or re-evaluation.
Whether that’s taking a solo vacation, buying that new iPhone, or going for that promotion you keep pushing on the back burner – splurge on you. Because this is the time to salvage never having to spend your hard earned money, or time, on someone who doesn’t deserve it – and its never worth needing someone just for the sake of not being alone during the Holidays.
Buy the $200 in decorations
Guess what? I bet 9/10 girlfriends or wives would say their SO disapproves of them coming home from spending $200 on Christmas decorations.
Because if that’s what your little heart desires, and would make the Holiday season that much better for you – then by all means go ham on the 50% sales at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. And you have the luxury of doing just that, without the guilt, question, remark, and disappointment.
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Or don’t celebrate at all (the ball is completely in your court)
You even have the luxury of literally not doing anything at all – if that’s what you truly want. If you absolutely hate and dread the idea of having to put up lights, just to take them down, buying and baking the food that you will have to spend months in the gym working off, or a tree that is going to rot in your living room for months thereafter – skip it. Skip it all.
To many, the idea of skipping Christmas is sometimes easier than tolerating it. The trick is not drowning yourself in pity just in spite of the fact you’re single. That is simply not the answer. But if skipping celebrating the Holidays will make your life entirely easier – by all means, go for it.
Make a point to start traditions with friends (even with those who aren’t single)
Start a yearly Christmas cookie party with your girlfriends, host a white elephant gift exchange on Christmas Eve with co-workers, or make a point to schedule in extra time seeing family during or throughout.
Just because you’re unattached, the case isn’t likely that you have no other friends in your boat. And even if the majority of your crew is taken – who drew the line that you can’t spend time together during the Holidays?