Surviving the holidays for Singles

Being alone during the holidays can suck.  Below are a few things you can do in addition to the ten before.

1.   Reach Out.

Being far from your family and friends at the holidays is rough. You may even find yourself envying those people with difficult families. Instead, step outside of yourself and look around you for others far from home. You can create new holiday traditions of your own. Or make plans to volunteer at a soup kitchen.  Lending a helping hand can assist in surviving the holidays and make you feel very good in the process.

2.  Stay Busy.

So how do you spend all that time by yourself without getting depressed? Well, here are a few tips. Stay busy. Give yourself a project that you will enjoy.  Make a collage.  Or simply get some errands done.  There were holidays that I spent doing laundry at the Laundromat and then going for dinner by myself and reading a book and you know what.  I had a good time.  If you enjoy yourself that’s all that matters.  You don’t have to live up to the TV’s version of a perfect holiday.  Just being able to look at my list at the end of the day and feel like I have accomplished something helps me feel positive about myself, and actually doing those things helps fill my day with activity.  Staying busy is a great tool for surviving the holidays.  It keeps you from having too much time to sit and think about loneliness and depression.

3.  Make your own traditions.

This year I had a big steak for my Thanksgiving dinner and enjoyed it far more than I would have the traditional turkey and stuffing.  Instead of staying up to the wee hours of the morning cooking and baking and cleaning, stay up late watching a favorite movie and sleep as late as you want to the next day.  Surviving the holidays is about creating traditions that serve you.

4.  Work.

Earn overtime pay by working! Most people want to take off during the holidays.  If you work at the office when few people are there, you can take the time to write letters to friends and get paid for it.  Who is going to hold the fort at work?  You help others and make some extra pocket change and it keeps you busy!

5. Have Fun.

Go out and do the stuff you love! Go to the gym.  Go see a movie at a movie theater.  Go shopping and take advantage of the sales late Christmas Eve or New Years Day.  Buy yourself the items you really wanted for yourself.  Go to a museum exhibit you haven’t been able to visit. You don’t have to worry about anyone holding you back.  Or volunteer.  Many Churches and Synagogues have volunteer programs on Christmas Day.

6. Seek out singles events and gatherings.

There are singles many parties on New Years Eve in every major City (www.prosinthecity.com) . It’s a great time to meet people because everyone is open and festive.  No one wants to be alone on New Years Eve. Or you can create your own party for friends.