Being single during the holidays can be a double-edged sword; depending on how you yourself feel about being single. Sure, being called out by your family and friends for showing up solo at the family Christmas party isn’t fun, but ultimately the way you feel about it is based on how you feel about actually being single.
Everyone is different. Some people are fine being single 365 days a year. Some people are generally OK with it, but those holidays can be a huge bummer. Some people are never fine being single, and still some are never fine with it and super duper not OK with it during the holidays. It can be downright depressing. Whatever category you fall in, I’d wager to bet that you encounter one or more of the examples of holiday singledom portrayed in this funny Buzzfeed.com video, What It’s Like to be Single During the Holidays.
When it comes down to it, you get to decide how to feel about loved ones (or not-so-loved ones) bringing your insecurities about being alone to the forefront of your (and any other innocent bystanders’) attention. My advice?? Decide ahead of time – before you go out for the night, before you drive to your cousin’s house for the holiday get-together, before you watch that ball drop – that you’re going to put up your shield. Don’t be rude to people who want to talk about your recent breakup, or give you advice about finding someone, or assure you that you’re the ultimate catch – but don’t let their words make you feel bad. Tune them out a little if you have to, be a little more agreeable than normal, or smile and nod, because what they are REALLY trying to do is help you and if you can make them feel like they are, they’ll go away.
My last piece of advice regarding being single during the holidays? Decide whether or not you want to be single for next year’s holiday season and, if your answer is “no”, do something about it! Try something new, do something different, because what you’ve tried probably isn’t working. Who knows – maybe next year YOU’LL be the one giving another lonely single advice and telling YOUR story of how you found love in 2015!!
Lots of Love,
Emily
