When You Have a Holiday Break-Up
December 5, 2011 at 10:33 pm | main | No comment
While breaking up is typically difficult, a holiday break-up can be particularly painful. The two stand in stark contrast to each other. The holidays are so bright and cheery. Nearly everyone is filled with excited anticipation. A break-up, in contrast, is dark, dismal, and brooding. Even the things that normally bring happiness don’t during a break-up.
Ironically, that which makes breaking up difficult at the holidays can also bring your primary means of support.
- Friends and family are often plentiful during the holiday season. Reach out for support from the ones you love and who love you. They may even be close enough to lend a shoulder to cry on as well as give encouragement to get out of the house.
- Gatherings for parties, shopping, shows, and walking about town are more frequent during the holiday season. A happy distraction can be good for an unhappy soul.
- Giving to others can help you escape from your own misery for awhile. Volunteering with your time, money, or gifts – as well as carefully selecting and wrapping gifts for your own friends and family — can give an antidote to gloominess.
- The to-do list which can seem so overwhelming at the holidays can also motivate someone to move out of their stupor of sadness.
- Finally, for those inclined, reconnecting with faith, especially during the season, can inspire hope when everything feels hopeless.
I understand that breaking up at the holidays is not easy. I am not suggesting that it is, and I’m not suggesting that you should over-indulge in eggnog and cookies to get out of your gloom. I am encouraging you to take advantage of the best the holiday season has to offer in terms of love, support, and distraction.
