With the holidays fast approaching, organizing holiday parties have become the burden of every household. Family members from all over are flying in to be with their loved ones this holiday season. However, there are those family members who are unable to have everyone with them due to certain circumstances. Whether they are away at school, enlisted in the military, or out on a business trip, it is okay to spend the holidays alone.
   It may feel different not being able to have the family together. There are also those who don’t have families and don’t have a choice but to spend the holidays by themselves. It is proven that people often feel more depressed and stressed once the holidays come around.
If you know that you are going to be spending the holidays alone, it is okay. There is nothing to be ashamed of and I can assure you that your family is not having fun without you.
   I have spent the holidays alone stationed in Virginia, and I can tell you that it is not all that bad. If Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City and Kevin from, Home Alone can survive the holidays alone, then so can you!
Here are a few tips on how to survive the holidays alone:
1. Don’t surround yourself with families
If you surround yourself with happy families during the holidays, it will just remind you that you can’t be with your own family. Even though it may seem nice to pretend that they’re your family for the night, no one can replace your family no matter how annoying and embarrassing they are.
2. Don’t drink yourself into a coma
Even though it may seem like a good idea at the time, alcohol never solved any problem. Alcohol will actually make you feel even more depressed about spending the holidays by yourself. Keep in mind that you are alone, and you don’t want to wind up with a headache the next day.
3. Do things that distract you
Whether it be baking for yourself, binge watching shows on Netflix, reading a good book or even sleeping in, doing something for yourself on the holidays is better than being upset about being alone.
   It can be hard spending the holidays alone, especially when it seems like everyone is home with their families. The thing to keep in mind is that not everyone is home with their families, you are not the only person who is spending the holidays alone. Being alone is only temporary and even though it may seem like the end of the world, it isn’t. Pretty soon you’ll be back with your friends and family and they’ll want to know how you spent your holidays.