Christmas may be the season to be jolly for some, but for single people it can easily become the season to be lonely.
Loneliness can set in weeks before the 25th itself, as “smug marrieds” talk at length about the extravagant presents they are buying and will be receiving from their other half. And, the invitation to an office party or friends’ parties with “plus one” can leave you feeling inadequate.
I spent many Christmases without a partner to indulge with. After a few ending in tears I created strategies to better weather the festive season. Here are my five top tips on how to survive Christmas as a single person:
1. Avoid going it alone – if you do get one of those party invites with “plus one” drag along a friend of the same or opposite sex to keep you company and join in the fun. If you are spending Christmas with your family, you can also consider taking a friend along. They will hopefully charm the socks off your parents and take the focus away from you.
2. Treat yourself – while friends are buying presents for their other halves, you can spoil yourself with a special Christmas treat. You can even imagine the best possible present you could receive from a future boy/girlfriend and buy it. As well as presents, you could pamper yourself with a stress-relieving massage or other holistic treatment.
3. Don’t let family single you out – parents can put higher expectations on their unattached offspring, demanding they come for Christmas every year or wanting them to stay for a longer period of time. If family members are pushing you about, take a stand and set your own boundaries for how long you want to spend with them over Christmas. It can be handy to have something else planned for Boxing Day or the day after so that you have an excuse to leave.
4. Live the single lifestyle – take advantage of the time you have to do as you please and indulge in your favourite past times. Join other people in the same boat at arranged singles parties. Get together your own group of single friends and celebrate with a dinner and outing where everyone brings along a guest of the opposite sex.
5. Escape the pressures of Christmas – if you really have had enough of feeling alone at Christmas, why not escape to warmer climes for a yoga retreat. Retreats take place all over the world including India, Thailand and Mexico. If retreats don’t take your fancy, a relaxing package holiday with a friend will do the trick and if you want company, there are plenty of holidays or single people. If you just want to avoid Christmas day itself, you can help out at a charity such as Shelter for a rewarding experience and different perspective.
Candy Jannetta is a Relationship Coach who specializes in helping single people to meet their soul mate. Contact her at: candy@essencial.co.uk or visit her website at: www.essencialsoulmate.co.uk to find out more about her one-to-one coaching and workshops.
