Is it really that time of year again?
Bah -humbug or HAPPY HOLIDAYS...Though often touted as "the most wonderful time of the year", holiday season can be daunting for singles. From feeling the loneliness set in as couples stroll the mall holding hands to once again being dateless on New Year's Eve, the holiday season doesn't do much to enhance a single's self-esteem and hope for the future. However, whether we like 'em or not, holidays can be a fun time for all with the right approach. Here are some tips for making your own holidays happier.
#1 Don't Be Alone: You're probably thinking "Whhaaaaat?" You heard me. Possibly you are tempted to sit this holiday season out, eat a tv dinner, drink some cheap wine, and watch some sappy holiday movies at home by yourself. As someone who has actually done this, I'll tell you firsthand that it will only make you feel worse. Do something, anything instead of this. Whether you choose to venture out on your own solo vacation, bow out of a traditional family celebration to celebrate with friends, volunteer to serve the homeless, you will at least be doing something. Just get out of the house.
#2 Be Ahead of the Game: Holidays can easily add stress to our lives if we let them. From botching up your chocolate cream pie for your friend's party to an embarrassing moment of forgetting to buy your boss an obligatory gift, we often feel increasingly anxious this time of year. My best advice is to prepare ahead of time as much as possible. Do your shopping year round, picking up gifts for people in your family as you find things that you think they would like. Be sure to stash these gifts in an accessible place where you won't lose track of them. You may be able to save quite a bit of money this way (picking up a pair of winter pajamas that you know your sister would love at the end of the season and saving them for Christmas can save you a bundle), and you'll avoid the stress of the crowded shopping malls. If you have a party to go to and want to bring an amazing dish, bring something tried and true. While it may be tempting to try to duplicate that alluring dish you saw on Pinterest, this may not be as easy as it seems. Save the experimenting for another time of year when you have more free time and feel more relaxed.
#3 Bring a Friend: If the mere thought of heading to that office party sans date is making you nauseous, consider bringing along a platonic friend who is also single. This may ease some of your tension, and may also be a good way for your friend to meet new people.
#4 Pay it forward in your own world: Before starting a pay it forward movement at your favorite drive-thru, pay it forward to those who are an important part of your life. Whether it's an elderly relative who is all alone and often forgotten, a nephew or niece who makes you smile on your darkest days, or your neighbor who helps you out on occasion, be thankful for the little things and make sure that the people in your life know how important they are to you! Take action...send an old fashioned letter, take your helpful neighbor out for coffee, or make a homecooked meal to express appreciation for your parents.
#5 Have Gratitude: Yes, your situation in life may be far from ideal and you may feel bitter and angry. These feelings can multiply when you're surrounded by seemingly happy couples and reminded that it's the happiest time of year. Despite this, there are people who have it far worse.
Even if are feeling down, I'll bet you can come up with one or two things that you are thankful for each day. Start a gratitude journal and each day jot down something that you are thankful for in your life. This is by no means a panacea for your problems, but it can help you gain a better perspective.
#6 Simplify: If you're planning a party, there is no need to go overboard. The goal is for all to have a good time, and the host of hostess sets the tone. Stick to tried and true appetizers that you know your attendees will like or plan a potluck so that everyone feels involved. Visit www.pandora.com for music, check out www.pinterest.com for decoration ideas, and peruse www.allrecipes.com for some surefire winner recipes.
#7 Remain in the present: It's easy to get caught up in memories of years past, especially at holiday time. While it's easier said than done, forget about your younger years and happier times that you may have had with an "ex". Instead, think about your future. You may have missed opportunities in the past, but beating up on yourself won't help. Possibly you are older and your options are not as great as they were during younger days. My advice: don't clog your mind with this negativity and remember that wisdom tends to come with age. Focus on what you have now and how you can make your life even better in 2018.
#8: Show your support! Still feeling as though you need to "do" more? Here are twenty-one ways to give back this holiday season. Best part is, the majority are free or low-cost.
www.huffingtonpost.com/fauzia-burke/21-ways-to-give-back-this_b_6317892.html
Help others to feel better!! Veterans are often forgotten during the holiday season. OperationWeAreHere is a website dedicated to all sorts of ways in which you can get involved in supporting the military.
www.operationwearehere.com/IdeasforSoldiersCardsLetters.html#anchor_250
Still feeling bad? Check out Carolyn Hax's helpful holiday advice...
www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/carolyn-hax-readers-advice-on-getting-through-and-even-enjoying-the-holidays/2017/12/20/685e6dd0-e383-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html?utm_term=.734480fd9b8d
Bah -humbug or HAPPY HOLIDAYS...Though often touted as "the most wonderful time of the year", holiday season can be daunting for singles. From feeling the loneliness set in as couples stroll the mall holding hands to once again being dateless on New Year's Eve, the holiday season doesn't do much to enhance a single's self-esteem and hope for the future. However, whether we like 'em or not, holidays can be a fun time for all with the right approach. Here are some tips for making your own holidays happier.
#1 Don't Be Alone: You're probably thinking "Whhaaaaat?" You heard me. Possibly you are tempted to sit this holiday season out, eat a tv dinner, drink some cheap wine, and watch some sappy holiday movies at home by yourself. As someone who has actually done this, I'll tell you firsthand that it will only make you feel worse. Do something, anything instead of this. Whether you choose to venture out on your own solo vacation, bow out of a traditional family celebration to celebrate with friends, volunteer to serve the homeless, you will at least be doing something. Just get out of the house.
#2 Be Ahead of the Game: Holidays can easily add stress to our lives if we let them. From botching up your chocolate cream pie for your friend's party to an embarrassing moment of forgetting to buy your boss an obligatory gift, we often feel increasingly anxious this time of year. My best advice is to prepare ahead of time as much as possible. Do your shopping year round, picking up gifts for people in your family as you find things that you think they would like. Be sure to stash these gifts in an accessible place where you won't lose track of them. You may be able to save quite a bit of money this way (picking up a pair of winter pajamas that you know your sister would love at the end of the season and saving them for Christmas can save you a bundle), and you'll avoid the stress of the crowded shopping malls. If you have a party to go to and want to bring an amazing dish, bring something tried and true. While it may be tempting to try to duplicate that alluring dish you saw on Pinterest, this may not be as easy as it seems. Save the experimenting for another time of year when you have more free time and feel more relaxed.
#3 Bring a Friend: If the mere thought of heading to that office party sans date is making you nauseous, consider bringing along a platonic friend who is also single. This may ease some of your tension, and may also be a good way for your friend to meet new people.
#4 Pay it forward in your own world: Before starting a pay it forward movement at your favorite drive-thru, pay it forward to those who are an important part of your life. Whether it's an elderly relative who is all alone and often forgotten, a nephew or niece who makes you smile on your darkest days, or your neighbor who helps you out on occasion, be thankful for the little things and make sure that the people in your life know how important they are to you! Take action...send an old fashioned letter, take your helpful neighbor out for coffee, or make a homecooked meal to express appreciation for your parents.
#5 Have Gratitude: Yes, your situation in life may be far from ideal and you may feel bitter and angry. These feelings can multiply when you're surrounded by seemingly happy couples and reminded that it's the happiest time of year. Despite this, there are people who have it far worse.
Even if are feeling down, I'll bet you can come up with one or two things that you are thankful for each day. Start a gratitude journal and each day jot down something that you are thankful for in your life. This is by no means a panacea for your problems, but it can help you gain a better perspective.
#6 Simplify: If you're planning a party, there is no need to go overboard. The goal is for all to have a good time, and the host of hostess sets the tone. Stick to tried and true appetizers that you know your attendees will like or plan a potluck so that everyone feels involved. Visit www.pandora.com for music, check out www.pinterest.com for decoration ideas, and peruse www.allrecipes.com for some surefire winner recipes.
#7 Remain in the present: It's easy to get caught up in memories of years past, especially at holiday time. While it's easier said than done, forget about your younger years and happier times that you may have had with an "ex". Instead, think about your future. You may have missed opportunities in the past, but beating up on yourself won't help. Possibly you are older and your options are not as great as they were during younger days. My advice: don't clog your mind with this negativity and remember that wisdom tends to come with age. Focus on what you have now and how you can make your life even better in 2018.
#8: Show your support! Still feeling as though you need to "do" more? Here are twenty-one ways to give back this holiday season. Best part is, the majority are free or low-cost.
www.huffingtonpost.com/fauzia-burke/21-ways-to-give-back-this_b_6317892.html
Help others to feel better!! Veterans are often forgotten during the holiday season. OperationWeAreHere is a website dedicated to all sorts of ways in which you can get involved in supporting the military.
www.operationwearehere.com/IdeasforSoldiersCardsLetters.html#anchor_250
Still feeling bad? Check out Carolyn Hax's helpful holiday advice...
www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/carolyn-hax-readers-advice-on-getting-through-and-even-enjoying-the-holidays/2017/12/20/685e6dd0-e383-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html?utm_term=.734480fd9b8d
