It’s December, and you know what that means – 24/7 Christmas music on the radio, eating pie and candy that you will have to work off for most of 2015, untangling lights, and oh yes – watching other people have more fun than you, living their perfect lives – stringing lights with their partners and kids and posting minute-by-minute updates on Facebook.
Bah humbug.
I used to dread holiday season too. I spent many of them single (far too many to admit), wishing for a life I didn’t have to create Instagram-able moments. I really believed all these Facebook friends (and real friends) were living better lives, enjoying more success. Instead of embracing holiday traditions with happiness, I fought against them, determined to drink/ avoid my way through New Years a la Bridget Jones. Well, sort of. I’m a lightweight. Three glasses is my max.
I’m upset that I missed out on all of the good things about the holidays for far too long.
So I decided to buck this depressing trend by posting for Singles Warehouse all the positive things about being single for the holidays. Because really if we are being honest – singles have way more fun being social than couples.
But I digress. I’ve been reading all the “surviving while single” stories that inevitably crop up this time of year. Yes, we get it. Christmas/ New Years is filled with couples showing off major PDA. Prying families seem far too concerned with your lack of love life. But are you planning to hold your breath through the holiday season, reverting back to your normal social, happy self once they’ve passed?
I know, I know. It sucks to watch other people bask in the happiness of a relationship that you don’t have. It’s hard to NOT obsess over what you lack in life, especially when the holidays can feel so isolating.
So it might sound trite to say that you should embrace and enjoy this holiday season exactly as you are – single or not – but seriously, it’s a waste of time if you don’t.
I’m not talking about anything religious, I’m talking about embracing who you are and where you are in life RIGHT NOW. Enjoy that pie. String some lights. Buy a tree for your studio apartment. Invite your friends over for dinner.
As we wrap up the year, we want to feel accomplished. We want to have grown, to matter, to feel valued. But we tend to focus on our relationship status – and whether we have made “progress” in this area – more than anything else. Here’s the truth: the holidays are not about progress. They’re about enjoying the end of the year and celebrating all of your happiest moments, those milestones like training for a marathon or learning to speak French. Or small moments like watching a hummingbird appear every morning on your windowsill. The holidays are a reminder that we need to stop and be grateful for all that we have, to truly live in the moment. They are a reminder to value who is in your life – family, friends – people who won’t be there forever. Value your time with them now. Make this holiday season count.
Happy holidays!
About Kelly Seal
Kelly is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She blogs about dating, relationships, personal growth and what "healthy living" means to her. You can follow her on Google+, Twitter @kellyseal or through her website www.kellyseal.com.
Being single over the holidays is very difficult. Although you try to be positive, it’s not easy. But I agree that we have to enjoy where we’re at and live in the moment. It’s a waste not to. It’s all about frame of mind and perspective. Great food for thought!