When you think of the holidays, what comes to mind?
For many, the holiday season is indeed one of the best times of the year, filled with many great experiences that will become fond and cherished memories. It is a time of celebration for the year just passed and a social gathering of those closest to your heart and soul.
While many will indeed spend the holidays in ways just like I described above, others may be alone and isolated whether it be the homeless, the elderly or those without families or close friends to call their own.
Most holidays I would be sitting at home, depressed and wondering just where my life went so wrong to be alone on those days that usually brings people together. So I started to ponder exactly how I could achieve this goal not this Christmas, but next year’s. I wanted this to be my last holiday season alone:
Love Yourself/Treat Yourself:
Many people think they need others to be happy when everyone else is being social and this thought can be a slippery slope as it will only make you more depressed.
You can be just as happy spending time alone on any day, including holidays. If you find yourself alone on the holidays you might want to make an effort to treat yourself in one way or another.
You can take a small break from your diet, get to work on that project you have been putting off or even plan a solo vacation or an adventure. If you have pets you can make it a special day for the both of you and the companionship and love you give your animal friend will surely be reciprocated.
The idea is that the joy and spirit of the season is something anyone can experience, even if you experience it alone on your couch watching your favorite film or reading your favorite book.
Season of Giving, Not Taking:
There are tons of places you can volunteer during the holiday season and besides making someone’s holiday a lot brighter you will feel good for making an effort to help out those less fortunate as well.
Animal shelters, homeless shelters or retirement homes are all excellent choices, and you could even make it feel more personal by seeking out the elderly or the disabled around your home and giving them a holiday to remember.
Beyond that you can always give to the numerous charities out there as well, just make sure to check that they are a legitimate charitable organization and see where the donations really go first before you donate any funds or goods.
Don’t Be afraid to Reach Out:
Your friends may know you are alone on the holidays but might feel awkward asking you to come to a family function or party.
So make the initiative to ask, many people are very generous and giving around this time of year and may not mind an extra person for Thanksgiving dinner or if you ask them to join in on the caroling or to accompany them to a religious service.
Only you can reach out during this time and ask if you could come along. These are your friends and loved ones, they will not intentionally hurt you and if they cannot fulfill your request they should not make you feel awkward or like you’re intruding on them.
Three years ago a Facebook friend invited me to her house right around Christmas day. I got a small assortment of gifts they found last minute for me, had some great food and even had a great conversation with someone about late sixties rock music.
You will never know either way until you ask and if you get invited you will never feel the joy unless you accept!
However, if you really don’t feel comfortable accepting any offers or you feel like you’re intruding or fearful about being around a bunch of people due to anxiety or other conditions, do not put yourself in a situation that will make you feel worse and give you reasons to beat yourself up about it later on.
