Holidays alone

[tealtreak]

Aw, (((((jess)))))

so sorry- those of us with military families spend lots of holidays with out each other- but there are always folks around in the same situation to hang out with.........If I lived closer you would be welcome here!

[limewave]

Oooh, I like the idea about a little camping trip. That would be awesome.

I agree with volunteering. There are so many people out there, nursing homes, hospitals, shelters, etc. They all can use the help. You always get more back than you give too.

Alot of people I know do group bike rides or runs on Christmas and New Year's Day. That always sounded fun to me.

And the movies. Movie theaters are open on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. I can't even remember the last time I was at a movie theater. I think if I had Christmas Day alone, I would go see a movie.

And I would spend lots of time hiking or running, exploring.

[indysteel]

I read an article a few years ago that said volunteerism is one of a handful of things that consistently helps foster happiness--not just during the holidays, but year round.

[indysteel]

I will add this thought, too: Some of the best times in my life have coincided with when I have had to work the hardest to fight loneliness and sadness. The conscious act of reaching out to others and creating your own fulfillment can be incredibly empowering. I know it's hard but try really hard not to get stuck at the point of self pity. I think feeling self pity is perfectly valid under the circumstances, but try to move past it. You can acknowledge your valid feelings of loneliness without allowing yourself to be consumed by them.

[azfiddle]

Another vote for volunteering.

Visiting a retirement/assisted living center might be really rewarding or helping at the community food bank.

This might be a good time to try something you've never done before, since you will have a lot of time. Is there new craft or hobby you've always wanted to experiment with?

I would like to suggest that if you've never gone to a contra dance, they are very fun, easy to learn (no experience needed), the dancers are usually really friendly and you don't need a partner. They are relatively inexpensive ($10) and done to live music. Usually there is a 20-30 introduction for beginners before the dance starts. FYI: the Colorado dance schedule is at http://www.cfootmad.org/dances.htm

I hope that's helpful- Sharon

[ny biker]

In addition to what others have said...if I had a week here at home with no work and nothing planned, I would use some of the time to get stuff done around the house. Organize your closets, go through old files to see if there is paperwork old enough that you don't need to save it anymore, wash the windows, rearrange the kitchen cabinets...anything you've been wanting to do but haven't had the time and energy for.

[bmccasland]

Am another person that has spent a lot of holidays alone. Frankly I dread the holidays (Thanksgiving/Christmas/NewYears). Sometimes the hardest question to answer is: "What are you doing for _____?" Because there's this awkward silence when you say you don't have plans. It's pretty much a conversation ender.

I posted on a local e-group that I was looking for dinner mates for Thanksgiving and wound up having a lovely dinner out. So take up offers for coffee, go camping, tour your town or the next town over - but get out of the house!

[salsabike]

I will add this thought, too: Some of the best times in my life have coincided with when I have had to work the hardest to fight loneliness and sadness. The conscious act of reaching out to others and creating your own fulfillment can be incredibly empowering. I know it's hard but try really hard not to get stuck at the point of self pity. I think feeling self pity is perfectly valid under the circumstances, but try to move past it. You can acknowledge your valid feelings of loneliness without allowing yourself to be consumed by them.

Oh, such a lovely post! Thanks, Indysteel.

[Trek420]

(((Jess))

Here in the Velo Girls, a Bay Area a local club has an annual "Christmas Orphans Ride". The streets are ours, let's ride!

http://www.velogirls.com/gallery/mai...g2_itemId=9217

[solobiker]

[QUOTE=azfiddle;617028]Another vote for volunteering.

Visiting a retirement/assisted living center might be really rewarding or helping at the community food bank.

I work in a nuring home and a lot of these folks are all alone..not including the staff. I have had to work many holidays including Christmas and often try to spend sometime with several of the residents and just visit. They love to talk about the past.

[Kathi]

Sorry you will be alone at Christmas but here is something you can do with the Denver Bicycle Touring Club on New Year's Eve. This has become a New Year's Eve tradition for us.

"New Year’s Eve Saturday, Dec 31 6:30 PM A noisy Hike, Mountain Bike, Ski, or Snowshoe Crawl on Green Mountain! P2-T1, Icy Trail-?, Party-4. All quiet or loud mountain and road bike people invited! Party is about 100 yards from the Alameda crest (Hayden) parking lot. The New Year’s Eve hike will start about 8:00 PM, intending to view the 9:00 PM fireworks display over downtown Denver from the top. Then after returning down, enjoy New Year’s Eve drinks and a re-warming party at our hosts house. Come one, come all, and of course mountain bikes with ice tires are optional".

We'd love for you to join us, PM me for directions.

[jessmarimba]

Kathi, that sounds fantastic! That's right behind my office I hope, with the way the weather has been lately, that there is more than mud to hike through!

Sorry to have started this thread and disappeared, I spent the last couple days in bed with yet another awful sinusy cold thing. I'm finally back among the living. I'd also like to put in a vote for mixed berry nyquil being the least offensive flavor I've sampled so far (which is not saying a lot, it's still pretty awful).

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I do have a number of projects that need done around the house, but I'm holding out for warmer weather for most of them. I have one or two I could start that don't require painting or power tools in the (frigid) garage though. Time to get out the sewing machine

Not sure why this holiday is getting to me more than most. I spent a handful of Christmases home alone when I was within driving distance(ish) of home (600 miles), so maybe it was knowing that I had the option to get in the car and go back that made those easier. I'm not sure the car would make it cross-country at the moment if I had a meltdown on Christmas Eve!

[redrhodie]

Maybe being sick is contributing to the sad feelings. I bet once you feel better physically, you're going to find some good things to do with this time off. It could be a great time to learn a new skill. If you don't knit, you should try it. There's never enough time to knit.

[jessmarimba]

Maybe being sick is contributing to the sad feelings. I bet once you feel better physically, you're going to find some good things to do with this time off. It could be a great time to learn a new skill. If you don't knit, you should try it. There's never enough time to knit.

I do knit But I haven't started anything in awhile. I bought some wonderful alpaca yarn at a consignment-ish place near here and I need to look on Ravelry for a pattern for yarn that thin. I should learn to crochet again too.

[Reesha]

What's the weight?