Feeling a bit lonely, not sure why...

[NorthenAdventure]

I'm married to a lovely man and have 2 great little kids who are so excitedabout Christmas. I'm off work for the next 2 weeks over Christmas. Life's pretty good and I'm lucky. But I can't help but feel a little flat, and sort of lonely. I'm not sure why. Shouldn't my family be enough for me? I'm seeing a friend tomorrow, and have extended family visiting for Christmas itself. Then I'll meet up with a couple of friends for a coffee or something between Christmas and New Year. But I just feel a bit lonely and I don't know why. Is this a normal amount of social interaction? Does anyone else feel like this? How can I make these feelings go away?

A gratitude journal might be useful for you , or a jar where you write things in on a bit of paper and put them in the jar. Great for kids too.
You can choose a time to look back on what you write or if you need a reminder.

I felt like this when DH was very unwell and life was a whirl of medical appointments and not much else. I found a few Facebook groups (sewing) and joined them, plus did some online courses and a couple of local courses which has brought me a nice friendship group, through them I found a local craft group and have made some great friends and have since started a local WI craft group

Thanks. I had a nice day out today. Think I need to maybe make more effort and make more quality friendships (they are a bit superficial maybe). Harder to make friends when you're pushing 40 and I'm a bit shy anyway but guess I need to give it a go!

Do you think maybe that it's all the expectation around Christmas and that you feel that your life doesn't live up to the hype?
It sounds like you have a lovely set up. Try to just relax, enjoy it and not worry about what anyone else is doing or thinking. Easier said than done, I know.

I do have a lovely set- up, and I should be more grateful for it. I'm lucky, I know. I think it could partly be Christmas. Everyone seems to be making so many plans with people - and I've made some, but I feel like everyone has a tight-knit social group that I'm missing out on. But I feel a bit like something is lacking regardless. I get so busy with work that when i take a break, I guess I realise how much work fills my life. I guess christmas is amplifying feelings that were already there. Though I have plenty of casual friends, I don't have a sister or a 'best' friend, and I suppose I crave that sort of connection. My husband is lovely but it's different.