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As an unmarried 42 year old woman I have to accept the fact that my life looks a lot different than I thought it would. Which most days I’m fine with, however, in the past being single through the holidays was not easy for me and could sometimes be down right depressing. I know that many of my friends and readers may experience that same state of sadness or loneliness that I used to as a single on the holiday’s. That is why it’s been on my heart to write a post about combating the holiday blues and these are some of my weapons of sad destruction to help you gear up for the season!
Prepare yourself for the onslaught of affection
There are four months out of the year that can feel like a quadruple gut punch to a single person and Thanksgiving is usually the holiday that starts it all! There’s at least one holiday each month from November to February that is best spent with those you love. Tis the season of holiday festivities, cheerful thanksgiving, gift giving, decking the halls and of course over the top PDAs. There seems to be an exorbitant amount of kissing going on in these couple of months, under the mistletoe on Valentines day and even when the clock strikes midnight. Unless you lock yourself in the house without television, there’s just no escape. Which, if you’ve got no one to kiss, could inadvertently result in an inordinate amount of eye rolling, sighing and gagging lol (and in some cases even if you do)! Make sure you prepare yourself by refraining from social media if possible or simply telling yourself you aren’t going to let it get you down because there is someone for you! Sometimes if you already know what’s coming at you or what to expect it’s easier to dodge those moments of sadness that can catch you unaware. Try to be genuinely happy for those that are receiving love, congratulate them and pray that they receive even more, when your time comes around they would probably do the same for you!
Get your arsenal of answers ready
If your family is anything like mine, the minute you step through the door of any holiday festivities alone is an open invitation to let the questions about your love life (or lack there of) begin rapid fire. Although, we know these questions are coming from a good place, after hearing it for so long it eventually begins to be kind of annoying. It used to make me feel like a failure and slightly incomplete as a woman, like there was something wrong with me and in my case it would be on my mind for at least half the night. Unfortunately, in the past I’ve found myself ill prepared to answer the questions, especially when they’re asked in front of everyone and all eyes are on me. It’s still awkward till this day but now I make sure I have my arsenal of answers ready to shoot back. I’ll tell them that I’m happily single, Mr. right hasn’t come along yet, I’m not up for settling and my favorite is I’m dating Jesus now! I don’t find it necessary to delve much further or be rude with my responses I try to remember to speak the truth in love. Now, I often feel sorry for people that equate being in a relationship with happiness and singleness as being unhappy. It simply is not true! But more than likely your friends and family are just showing concern and want you to be happy just as much as you do!
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Don your festive fatigues
No matter how down you feel, don’t look it! If you’re invited out to a party, get off that couch, stop wallowing and start living the life of a free woman, while definitely dressing the part of someone having the time of their life. You never know who you’ll meet while out, it could be the love of your life or it could just be some really awesome person that you bond with for an hour, but you’ll never know unless you go! Go without the expectation of meeting someone and just have fun! Act goofy, dance like people are watching (because most likely they are), laugh until you cry but most importantly live. Life should not pass you by because you’re doing it alone, that’s much better than doing it with the wrong person! Plus people are usually more attracted to smiling happy people so much more than someone who seems like they’re trying out for the role of Oscar the grouch.
Mentally prepare for the challenge
Once you’ve altered your mindset, your battle is half done. When I get down about my love life (which honestly rarely happens these days) I always attempt to be consciously impeccable with my words as I can easily speak ungodly things over my life in a moment of sadness. I do believe that words truly have power and try my hardest to speak life over my situation, although I’m not always successful. When you’re down in the dumps the last thing you’re thinking is that things will shift in your favor because all you can see right now is what’s in front of you. But there is more life to come and although being single during the holidays can suck at times, especially if you really didn’t desire to be partnerless, it can be an awesome time in your life if you prepare yourself ahead of time! Before you even step foot out the door be prepared to see other couples wherever you go, especially for valentine’s day and New Years. If a relationship is something that you truly desire, it may be hard but keep in mind that your time will come and be happy for the couples you see. Phone a friend that you know will uplift you, I have one in particular that is always super positive about relationships. Try not to compare your life to those of others, because that is one of the most unhealthy things you can do at this time and have a meditation scripture to focus on in moments of sadness to bring you back to a place of wholeness in Christ. I put five below, today I will keep on my mind ‘He will not leave you or forsake you’ and repeat it as much as possible especially during times of sadness or frustration to remind myself that even thought I don’t have a physical husband, God is always by my side.
- Matthew 21:22 – And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
- Proverbs 30:5 – Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
- Psalms 37:4 – Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
- Psalms 126:5 – They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Apply your camouflage
Have you ever heard of faking it until you make it? Well it may be beneficial in this instance, not necessarily being phony or lying but you can let people know how you feel but still resist the urge to dwell on negative feelings even if you want to. When someone ask you how you are, be honest if you’re feeling down about being single but remind them (and yourself) of all the great things you have to be thankful for in life. Every conversation shouldn’t be an opportunity to drop a sad bomb. Take the time to think of some things you’re grateful for now, your health, your children (or in my case my dogs), family, a job there are so many things. Reminding yourself of the fact that this too will pass and that you still have a full life without a mate can sometimes work wonders on keeping you in a positive place. Recite and repeat as often as necessary.
Thank God for winning the small battles
Christmas and Valentines are a great time to spend money and blow a budget if you’ve got a significant other so thank God that you don’t! You can choose to stash the money or splurge and give yourself a gift. But whatever you do is totally up to you and no one else, which is one of the perks of singlehood. Treat yourself to a movie, throw a party for your single friends, buy a new dress or a trip if your bank account is set-up that way. Besides doesn’t sitting on a sunny beach somewhere, toes in sand and drink in hand, sound much better than trudging through the cold and snow!?
Always remember what your Commander-in-Chief said
If we look in our bible it tells us that it is good for single people to remain single because at this time in our lives we are able to devote so much more time to the Lord. I can clearly see the benefits of being single after going through unfruitful relationships in the past. And although, I am guilty of not using my time as wisely as I should but whenever I am intentional about spending time with God I always, always feel better about my situation.
1Corinthians 7:8 (ESV) – to the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
1 Corinthians 7:32-35 ESV : I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
How are you spending your holiday season? I’d love to know in the comments below!
God bless and Have a wonderful holiday (single) season! You’re in my prayers and as always God Bless!
Court 😉
