The holiday season can be the loneliest time of the year.
While everyone around you seems to be buying presents, preparing meals and going to dinners and parties, you feel like a lonely wallflower sitting on the sidelines watching all the dancers whirl by.
When you are feeling alone it rubs salt in the wound to see so much activity and so much shopping and scurrying around.
Your only wish is that it would all go away as quickly as possible.
What are you to feel when the whole world around you seems to be going berserk? Your loneliness is accentuated by all this contrast with your own situation.
So you pretend to be bright and happy. But in reality you are feeling like the only person on the planet who feels miserable and so desperately alone.
But take heart. There are many thousands of people right now who feel exactly as you do. The only difference is that you haven’t met them and you don’t know who they are. If somehow you could all get together you could have one huge bash that would put all the other party-goers to shame!
But jokes aside, holiday seasons are notorious for making people feel miserable. There are many people out there right now who can’t wait for the holidays to be over so that they can get back to work quickly and regain some semblance of normality.
The important thing to realize is that you are not alone. Many, many people are going through this very same feeling of depression this minute.
The secret lies in learning how to cope with feeling lonely. And this means that you have to make a plan of action.
It’s quite easy. Simply accept that this is the time to pamper yourself. Buy that special something you have always wanted. Treat yourself to something you know you will enjoy.
Buy that new book you have always wanted or make plans to learn that new hobby you’ve always fancied; or explore an interest that you have always wanted to follow such as learn handwriting analysis. Immerse yourself in it and you will be amazed to see how quickly the time passes and how soon you will start to feel better about yourself.
Time to yourself can be a blessing in this overcrowded world. Use the opportunity to get in touch with your creativity. Express your feelings by painting, writing or learning a musical instrument.
And there’s the internet too with chat groups where you can join groups of people with similar interests. Loneliness is a common problem and there are many people out there hoping to connect with others who have similar interests.
Now that you have some time on your hands you can get involved with a cause that you believe in. There is a double advantage here. You’ll feel good knowing you are doing something worthwhile and furthermore, you may meet some like-minded people who could add a lot of meaning to your life.
For example if you are concerned about the ecology you could become part of a group and go on outdoor excursions. There are all kinds of possibilities for new experiences.
The bottom line is – don’t simply hide under your bed till the holidays are over. With a little change of focus you can turn this time into a valuable and yes, an enjoyable experience. Just set your mind to it.
It can be hard to be lonely in the holiday season, when you have just gone through a break up. This time of year can bring back all the good times and the bad times of the past, with your ex. This can take a toll on a person. I have been through this and it really made me very sad going through this holiday by myself, when I am used to being with my girl, and kids. This really ate me up, but you have to learn how to deal with this because you have many more holidays to go through without them. Easier said then done but you have to. You can do it, fight through it and don’t give up.
Love your site man keep up the good work
Somewhere in the world there’s always somebody who seems to have the very best of everything but still feels lonely. I guess the hundreds of friends that you add to your Facebook mean nothing if you don’t know who to call when you need someone to really listen to you. I used to think that I had a lot of friends but when the bad times hit, I finally knew that I actually had nobody there for me. First step is always difficult but I did it anyway. I hope other lonely people out there will do the same too.
Hi Solero
We all feel lonely at times. The trick is to be able to deal with it even when you feel you have been deserted by friends. It does take strength – but clearly you have it!
Best wishes.