I often find myself wishing I had someone to laugh with me at my favorite T.V show. Or just someone to go get fast food with, but here I am in the real world doing those things on my own. The holiday season is among us, and some of us are feeling as lonely and single as ever. I thought it would be helpful to share some of the ways I have coped with this dilemma for 17 consecutive years (and most likely many more). 

1. Reach Out To Your Family

Maybe you are close with your family, or maybe you aren’t. Personally, my family is my number one support system. Whenever I am lonely or upset, I reach out to them and I’m sure to cure my loneliness. Even when I don’t want to reach out to them, I make myself do it because I know It will help me feel better. If you are close with your family, I really do recommend spending time with them, it will show you that you do have people to lean on even when you don’t feel like you do. If you aren’t close with your family, now is a good time more than ever to build your connection with them. For most of us, these are the people who we can count on to be in our lives for a very long time. It is important to keep them close. 

1. Say Hi To Your Friends

Most relationships will not last forever, but one thing will; real friendships. If it has been a while since you’ve reached out to your friends, the holiday season is a great time to. More than likely, your friends miss you just as much as you miss them. So go ahead, send that “I miss seeing you” text, and plan a time to catch up. Maybe you want to make some new friends, or even just a couple more. Don’t be shy to slide up on their story, or comment on their post, because the easiest way to make friends is to just be nice. Be kind and show your interest in them and things they care about. Being surrounded by good friends will be sure to mend your lonely heart. 

1. Take Care Of Yourself

Whether this means you need to pamper yourself with food and skincare treatments, or jam out to your favorite self empowerment music, get on it. You deserve to take care of yourself and treat yourself, you work hard enough. Yes, Christmas is about giving, but give yourself something too! Don’t forget that you are the most important person on your list. 

1. Stay Busy

Distracting yourself is a good way to forget about your feeling of loneliness. It has been something I have been doing for a long time *cries*. But seriously, it does help take your mind off things. Hop on that home project you’ve been meaning to do. Read that book you’ve been meaning to read. I know there is something you have been meaning to do, so satisfy your needs and take time to get it done! Something I do that heavily distracts me is reading. A lot of people our age hate it, but they just haven’t found the right book. Putting myself in someone else’s life, helps me distract myself from mine which is the best thing sometimes. 

Hopefully you’re lucky enough to have significant other this holiday season, but if you’re like me and you don’t, I hope this helps you get through this cold winter season.