The holidays seem to have a special way of making you feel like crap if youre alone.
Maybe youre nursing a recent breakup.
Maybe you just started college and cant afford to fly back home.
Focus on the Present
Its hard not to dwell on the past when youre alone.
Ifyoure homesickor thinking about old traditions with your ex, youre mostly missing that sense of security and familiarity.
After a while, nostalgia can really drag you down.
This can cause problems if were ruminating over things or thinking without actually getting anywhere useful as a result.
In short: indulge yourself a little.
From there, schedule it into your calendar over the holidays.
The holidays do not have to beperfect.
You dont have to be full of cheer.
Its okay to be sad on the holidays, so dont be hard on yourself for feeling down.
She adds that statistically, the number of traditional households in this country is not in the majority.
One way to let go of unrealistic expectations?
Just block them out.
The message for the fragile mind is: THIS IS WHY YOU ARE A LOSER.
Just being aware of these subtle expectations can go a long way.
Your holiday experience can still be enjoyable without matching up to the movies.
Create Your Own Tradition
It might help to take matters into your own hands.
Open up your own place, or ask everyone to bring a dish so its a potluck.
you’re able to create a solo tradition, too.
For example, I knew someone who would take his family to the movies on Christmas every year.
When he started his own family, it just kind of stuck.
Hedger says the key is planning in advance.
This strategy often fails as it can leave you unprepared, with less options.
Instead, think about the real flash points of dates and times that you think will be hardest.
The holidays are notorious for bringing out those feelings.
Illustration by Tara Jacoby.
