Being single around the holidays can get you extra seasonally depressed. Everywhere you go, you see couples choosing knick-knacks together, buying new Christmas decorations, holding hands and kissing in front of store windows. They seem so blissfully happy which just makes you feel even worse as you are face Christmas on your own.
I've been there and yes, I've had a great time - being in love and getting showered with expensive gifts! There is no denying it, it’s great when you are in a happy relationship during the holiday season. The problem is that when you are single again, it’s so easy to think about the idea of being in a relationship with rose tinted glasses, remember the good times and forget all the bad times. It’s to easy to indulge in a bit of self pity and convince yourself of how miserable it is being single at Christmas.
And to make matters worse, well-meaning - (but slightly annoying!) friends and relatives keep asking you whether you have met that ‘special’ person yet and you have to admit that that special someone still hasn’t materialized.
“Did you meet anyone interesting last night?” asks your Mom after your work holiday party.
“Are you seeing anyone special?” asks your aunt at Christmas dinner, after glancing at your empty ring finger?
“You work so hard, do you even have time for a relationship?” asks your nosy coworker after a bit too much punch.
In my last blog, I wrote about how easy it is when you are feeling this way to fall into the holiday relationship trap If you are single this Christmas, rather than pressure yourself to be in a relationship, or stick with someone who really isn’t right for you, how about remembering the awesome things about being single during the holidays!
So here it is, my top ten reasons why being single at Christmas is awesome!
1. You are footloose and fancy-free. You can do what you want, when you want and with whom you want. I was out on Friday night, for example and met some new people who subsequently invited me to go out with them the following evening. I was able to accept their invite on the spot and had another great night out the next night – it was unplanned, unexpected and completely spontaneous.
2. When you are single and the holiday parties start rolling in, there are no arguments about which parties to attend. You don’t have to argue about why your partner doesn’t want to spend time with your friends and colleagues, or why you don’t want to hang around your partner’s friends and colleagues. You can go to every single party you are invited to or not go at all. The choice is yours.
3. Nothing can ruin a holiday quite like walking on eggshells around potential future in laws -- or buying of meaningless presents for a bunch of people you only just met or whom you don’t even really get on with. When you are single at Christmas time, the only family you’re obligated to see, are the ones you are related to.
4. You can take the money you are saving by not having to buy a partner and their family presents, and instead get yourself something special. You can indulge, buy anything you like and make your holiday extra special.
5. You don’t have to live up to someone else’s expectations or traditions around Christmas. You can create your own – be as conservative or wild as you want them to be! Stay near home or go off on an adventure holiday with a group of friends or with a singles group.
6. Do you prefer a plastic tree or a live tree at Christmas time? Do you prefer candles or tinseled decorations? Do you like to decorate early in December or just before Christmas day? When you are single, there are no arguments about how the house will be decorated or when the Christmas boxes come out from the garage or the loft. You can decorate your house just the way you like at Christmas time and put the decorations up just when you want to - or not at all.
7. When you are at a party, you won't get trapped talking to one person all night, like often happens when you are in a relationship. You can work the room and meet loads of new people.
8. When you are out celebrating, you don’t have to worry about having to leave the party when your partner wants to. You can stay for a very short time or be the last one standing.
9. People are more jolly and happy during the holiday season and they are more open to meeting new people. With more celebrations going on during the holiday season, you can randomly hook-up with whoever you want to, no mistletoe necessary...
10. You don’t have the pressure of entertaining and trying to impress everyone with your amazing hospitality or culinary skills. You don't have to hide any frozen food packages or spend hours getting your home squeaky clean, because there is no one is there to judge you. Organise a get together in a restaurant instead!
So go and enjoy this holiday season and enjoy being single - it's awesome!
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