The holiday season is a wonderful time of year for many of us. Filled with joy, laughter, great food, and the company of loved ones, the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons keeps us busy three fold with festivities. It’s a beautiful time of year when we have people around us to share the love.
However, not everyone has this pleasure – to be around family, friends, or loved ones. Whether you are a soldier away at war, have experienced a death of a partner or child, made a recent move to another part of the country, or remember the dark Christmas pasts with drunk gatherings and abuse, sometimes celebrating the holiday season with joy can be extremely difficult; and, feeling alone may result.
What’s important to remember is that holiday seasons, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, can exude a somber sort of energy around this time of year that seems to be more magnified than other times. Perhaps it’s the recognition of the collective consciousness. Also, even when your family is close by, somehow there is this melancholy that seems to hang around.
It is important to remember that you are never really alone whether across miles or in spirit, your loved one is present. It is only a matter of perspective. Here are some things you can do to feel more comforted and connected.
1.) Reach out to others. This may be quite challenging for some of you, but I can guarantee that the one you seek out to reach is seeking out to reach for someone, too. We all disguise ourselves as being fulfilled and content to keep up with the status quo and the social norm. Many of us have too much pride; someone has to be first at reaching out.
2.) Treat yourself. Raw cacao can also help your mood and it takes delicious; immerse yourself in a mystery, short story, or fantasy; a fluffy fleece throw blanket and a couple of classical movies would be great, too.
3.) Journal. The writing I’m suggesting is about your thoughts and emotions that surface in the moment. They could be funny, remembrance, or teary. Journal whatever comes up from within.
4.) Learn to be comfortable with solitude. There is nothing wrong with being alone. It’s rather good for us when we look at it from a positive perspective. Even when your body is dragging with loneliness, ‘be’ with those feelings and know that they will eventually pass. Look inside yourself to see what loneliness has to offer you. What is it trying to say to you?
5.) Write a letter. Whether this person is still alive or not, write a letter to denote your love, admiration or perhaps even anger. You may experience a great sense of relief.
6.) Go for a walk; try some yoga at home; or some meditation. Movement and centering always does wonders for the central nervous system.
7.) Donate your time to a charitable organization; make some sandwiches for the homeless. There are so many places to get involved for a few hours a day. It’s a great way to refocus on others desperate for shelter and food.