Recently single people - how are you spending Christmas and do you ever feel lonely?

[namechanged406]

Do you feel worse at this time of year or does it not phase you? I guess I'm talking more to people who have recently become single not people who have been single so long it's just routine.

My friend is recently single (not entirely her choice), temporarily living with her mum, and I'm worried whether she is struggling with it or not. She's spending the day with her mum and brother and not as a big combined thing she would usually do with her exes family.

She says she's okay but she seems sad. I'd invite her to my day but I'm not hosting this year and she said she was happy staying home with them.

Recently single people - are you struggling more around this time of year, or does Christmas not make the feeling any worse?

Also people who have been single longer I guess - if it is hard do you eventually get used to it or do you still find it a difficult time of year if you haven't yet met someone else?

She doesn't have any kids if that makes a difference.

I love it. I enjoy the peace and freedom. This year, I'm at my sisters in Norway. If I was at home, I'd enjoy the peace.

Single since early this year, spending the day with just my fosterling who is 2 and who is disabled, non verbal and has developmental delay. It is what it is, I am struggling but I think those of us in this situation just have to accept it for what it is. Like your friend, my singledom is not of my choosing I think I might feel differently if it was.

Single with kids and definitely struggling. It's my first Christmas single in forever - even if the last 2 years' boyfriends were more short-term things of a few months each (and before that an abusive marriage), it was nice still having someone who thinks of me at this time of year.

This year, I have no one other than my kids. Friends I was meant to meet in December have all come down with bugs, so I've not seen anyone outside of work for months now.

But I have plenty of Bailey's, decent TV and am making the best out of it for my kids, who enjoy having me all to themselves and being able to have a chilled Christmas, so I guess it's not all bad.

Long-term single - I find Christmas absolutely fine (even during covid when I spent it alone) but really struggle with NYE. I think because I know Christmas is a small family-only thing for most people anyway so spending it with my parents is fine, but by New Years' I'm usually back at home by myself when it feels like I should be at a party, and it's a bit of a crap celebration anyway IMO so spending it alone makes it even worse.

Thanks everyone. I know everyone is different.. I try to put myself in her shoes and think I'd struggle going from a family tradition that had happened for years to that all being whipped away, while her partner carries it on without her.

I'm glad some of you are happy though. I guess I never thought New Year would be the same as often we do a friends thing for that.

Struggling this year as I had a bad break up but I've been long term single
Honestly, my job means I speak to people ALL DAY and I get so ready for some silence
My plans are
Christmas Eve - all the cleaning so it's done, and a spin class
Christmas Day - with my dad for a meal out and then food coma!
Boxing Day - saved a load of films to watch
27th - lot of batch cooking

Then I'm back to work. So mostly using it as a catch up for all the stuff that needs doing

I am a fairly recent widow with no DCs and no DPs living and really don’t want to spend Christmas as a spare part with someone else’s family (or even the outer reaches of mine), so am staying home alone. It’s just another day really but I am going to make nicer food. Other people tire me (I have some introvert tendencies) and I am recovering from Covid so want to be able to nap on my own sofa. Quite relieved to avoid the usual stress.

I'm single and this year I'm spending Xmas with my single neighbour! And her dd Girls Xmas !
Boxing Day my kids (adults) are coming for another dinner ! I've actually put a tree up this year for the first time . Feeling festive !

I’ve been out of my last long-term relationship just over a year and had a short-term thing since then. Currently single and very happy and content with that. I’ll spend Christmas with family. I think sometimes coupled up people assume us single people will be unhappy even when we’re not. What does your friend say about how’s she’s feeling?