It seems like every year when the holiday season rolls around, suddenly everyone is in a relationship. Couples are posting pictures together looking at Christmas lights and wearing matching pajamas. Or my personal least favorite, every single family member EXCEPT you having a significant other. Going around the dinner table at Thanksgiving and hearing your Grandmother say “So, anyone special at school?” which makes you promptly want to crawl underneath said dinner table.
The holidays can be rough to navigate alone, and in a season where everyone seems to have somebody it can be difficult to navigate feelings of loneliness. Here are some tips and tricks to make this holiday season alone not so lonely.
Foster Your Friendships
Even though you may not be in a romantic relationship, the holidays are still a great time to foster and grow the other relationships in your life. This may be friendships, family relationships or even your relationship with yourself. The holidays give us time away from school and work and presents us with the opportunity to spend quality time with the important people in our lives, not just those in our lives romantically.
Watching Christmas movies with your mom or baking cookies with your best friend, even something as simple as drinking coffee with your dad in the mornings. Use the holiday vacation to spend time with those around you and suck the blues of being single right out of the season.
Don’t Let Yourself Miss Out on Holiday Activities
You do not need a significant other to do cute holiday activities. I REPEAT, you do NOT need a significant other to do holiday activities.
Looking at holiday lights, baking cookies, gingerbread houses and matching holiday pajamas. All things that can be done with friends, family or completely alone. We know going home for the holidays can make it seem like these activities have been reserved by couples, or that you seem depressed doing it alone, but that is simply not the case. There is no shame in doing all of the branded “couples” holiday activities solo or with a group of hometown friends. As a matter of fact, it’ll probably be more fun that way.
A Relationship Does Not Define You
Remember that your relationship status does not define you, and that it is NOT a bad thing to be single. Even though lots of holiday activities may seem to be relationship-coded sometimes, that doesn’t mean the holidays as a whole have to be.
The holidays are a time to reflect on the year that you have had and all of the things you have to be grateful for, even if that sentiment can be difficult to remember or even believe. There are so many aspects of our lives that are rewarding and joyous, and none of those are determined by your relationship status.
From VALLEY to you, happy holidays!
Are you single for the holidays? How are you planning on making the most of the season? Let us know by mentioning @VALLEYmag on X!
