I’ve been single for over eight years now. Eight years WOW! Doesn’t feel that long ago, but yeah it’s been a while since I was in love at Christmas. My ex and I had a very interesting dating life. One where we both lived abroad half of the time, so we never celebrated Christmas together. Poor grandma, she probably thinks I’m gay by now and her being a religious person must make it difficult for her to process the fact that one of her granddaughters is single, and a happy one at that! I’m sure that last part doesn’t really resonate though, ‘cause how can you be happy without kids and a husband and that entire ordeal??? Well I’ll tell you how grandma…. ; )
One cool thing about being single at this time of year, is not having to rush from house to house. Especially when your man’s parental units split up. You don’t have to wreck your brain and plan weeeeks in advance because your sister’s man has a brother whose wife’s family can only spend xmas together on that one day, as her brother is out of the country on the other day etc. etc. Hence, no hassle for me, I’m flexible : )
Another great thing is that because I have so much more time, I get to spend it with my friends who do have kids. I am still a child at heart, which kids relate to, so these afternoons or evenings are always very fun and playful. This year I’m also spending one day with my single (minded) friends, we’re gonna eat a lot of food, put on our prettiest, most glamorous outfits, play 30 seconds and all sorts of other games. looking forward to it! Last but not least, I still get to go out and dance my ass off, which I love! I don’t have to wake up early and I can just ease into the family gathering.
It hasn’t always felt great to be single @ xmas though. There was one Christmas where I was surrounded by my good friends who are all couples. This is no problem, since I’m always the single one in the group and we all have fun together and I never feel excluded. This one particular Christmas though there was a moment where all couples were very cutesie with each other, which I usually enjoy looking at. I love love! But they were doing it all at the same time.
When I looked to the right I saw one couple kissing, to the left.. same thing and straight ahead my friend was sitting on her man’s lab and they were cuddling. In that one moment I felt like a sad specimen. Especially ‘cause I had a crush on someone at that point and had no idea if he even liked me…we were supposed to go on a date but he was being standoffish all of a sudden, so yeah that moment sucked!
All in all I feel that being single at Christmas has its perks and it’s downside, but as corny as it sounds for me it all comes down to being with the people you love and enjoy spending time with. Whether it’s with your (split) families, friends with or without kids, other singles or couples….as long as you’re together and feel the love!
Merry Christmas everyone I hope you get to spend it the way you want to.