If your holiday season is anything like mine, it's all about traditions. Traditions have a funny way of playing with your emotions. If you're taken and with the guy of your dreams (or the guys of your dreams for the moment) traditions are thrilling and make you feel filled with love. However, if you are not taken, this tends to be the time of the year where all of the negative feeling around "being single" surface.
I've talked to man women this holiday season who were struggling with feelings of being "alone". It's time to change the way you're thinking about this- you're never truly alone!
- Although it can be rare, cherish the time you get alone during the holidays. Use this time to recharge, relax, and focus on what you want out of the season!
- Let go of expectations- I think we all grow up watching movies and reading romantic stories of how people find love over the holidays, are so happy, get married, and live happily ever after. Remember, we live in reality; not cinema land. While this season is undoubtedly magical, it can be magical in all sorts of ways! Stop saying "my holidays were supposed to look like this" and start being thankful for how they really look! Gratitude is the best way to have a positive attitude!
- Spend time on crafts, a home project, or start a new hobby you've always wanted to try! The holiday season can leave you with a good amount of down time once the presents are unwrapped and returning to school is still a few weeks away- use this time wisely! Find something you love or rediscover a talent or hobby you used to be great at- doing something for yourself with only yourself will help you charge your batteries while teaching you to appreciate alone time!
- Give back! I'm a firm believer in helping others when I'm feeling down. My idea is when I'm feeling down about something, helping someone else, helps me to feel better! Donate your time to a favorite cause, offer to walk your elderly neighbor's dog, shovel the drive for your friend who is out of town- when you see the smile on someone's face that you helped, you'll smile too' it's addictive!
Remember to focus on the positive as much as possible; be grateful for all that you have. Spend your time with family, friends, and yourself. Allow yourself to reboot and become the best 'you' possible. The best you possible will be able to put your best foot forward and prepare yourself for whatever (or whoever if that is the case) is to come in the New Year!
