Tips for getting through Christmas alone

[tearsandtiaras]

Its nearly that point where everything starts shutting/
Closing and people switch off to be with their families.

My DD will leave to go to her extended family on Boxing day night. Its a v difficult time of year for me for various reasons and also lonely,
Cold and sad. As a social worker i will likely remove at least 2
Children before Christmas. I was in court today and court on 23rd. Work brings me a
Sense of pride/belonging/self worth

Please provide tips of how to navigate Christmas cold, lonely and alone. I go for walks but cry at the lights in windows and family groups.

My ex partner cheated on me and left
Me on boxing day. I have ptsd.

I will spend time in the woods.

You are an amazing person doing good for society and being left on Boxing Day was so cruel

I know what you me a shot your job being hard but it gives you self worth (I’m an SEN teacher and also work with cared for young people)

be strong … get nice food in, decent books to read 💐 here for you if you nee to chat (I’m ok family wise but estranged from my mother so I am feeling low but I’ll get though it)

Am I reading it incorrectly or will you be with your DD on Christmas? Surely by Boxing Day night the festivities are over and done with?

By the 27th lots of people are back at work, it’s a normal day. If you’re off you could take the few days to declutter the house, do a deep clean. Go into the city for the sales, go to the cinema, join the gym…

I would shut the outside world out completely and make a home holiday for myself (Christmas themed or not!)

Watch Netflix or dvds. Read books. Eat and drink whatever you really fancy. Snuggle up and rest.

I wouldn’t go for a walk and would avoid live television if family things were making me sad.

Agree with scheduling yourself activities. I've been there, often due to shift work where the work never stops- which weirdly helped, I always found the idea of 2 weeks off over Xmas really odd as it wasn't normal in my workplace. If you go out walking download some cheery podcasts or music, don't give yourself time to think too much. Or binge watch Return to Paradise and dream of being in the sun!

This is a good perspective actually. I am working 30/31 so it won't be too long

OP, I had to spend Christmas Day on my own last year. I found logging onto Mumsnet helpful. There were quite a lot of us in the same boat and we kept each other going.

It’s just one day.
The shops will reopen Boxing Day, people will be back at work, some will be ripping their tree and decorations down and moving onto the next thing.

If you can, get yourself an expensive piece of meat, and all the relevant seasonings and make yourself a fantastic meal

Same for boxing day - I'm hoping to make Ross's thanksgiving left over sandwich with the remaining turkey

Also, avoid tv or watch on catch up

Listen to the radio - i like to listen to radio one but it is aimed at the youth. Maybe radio 2, they'll be aware that people are alone and it's alright

Browse mumsnet but avoid social media for Xmas and boxing day

It's just me and dd, 5, so I'll be doing a few of these things

If you have a car, can you go for a drive and a hike? (I would never do that, too lazy, but maybe you're sporty?)

I think you sound amazing, op. I know it's lonely but you seem kind and like you're someone who cares. Of that, you can be proud ❤️

get cozy get a glass of wine, snacks and stick on a comedy movie.

i will likely remove at least 2
Children before Christmas. I was in court today and court on 23rd. Work brings me a
Sense of pride/belonging/self worth
did you mean that to sound like one statement. Or was it saddens at removing the children.

Thanks all I think I need to structure the time out into segments. I was thinking i could get ahead with batch cooking for the term for DD. Maybe deep clean her room with all the nick naks.

I am a sporty gym goer but recovering from a nasty chest infection so im a bit weak at the moment for the usual running/ classes / weights.

I think its a good idea to stay off live tv/ SM theres no reason to get swept up with it. Its about having a strong mindset

I am very keen to remove these children.
It would be sadder to keep them there over the Christmas period where they could come to further harm

I meant I have a busy job to fill the lonely gaps, some of them

I think that one year things will be very different for you as you sounds like a lovely person. Sorry you are finding it tough. Agree with others to schedule activities. Could you volunteer somewhere one of the days to get that community spirit?
Get some good books / box sets lined up and lean in to the peace and rest side of things. You'll get through it x

This is a great idea in theory but is a ptsd trigger for me in reality as its what i did for 10 years with my partner. I try to keep busy

I've spent the day alone before. You don't have to be of faith but how about midnight mass and also a morning church service. The great think is that everyone is most welcome and no one will mind if you're not religious or whatever.

Just so you're not alone all day.

Thank you, I have volunteered at crisis for Christmas for several years pre DD but gave it up to spend Christmas period with her when she was young. I have also bought food at closing on Christmas eve and given to homeless/ soup kitchen etc, id love to do that now, the trouble is i work very long hours in my job: i should really take the time to recover. I get lonely a
Lot on Sunday's, so i take DD to the library where there are others in similar boats.
Its shut though over Christmas for a while.
Sometimes i go to church to light a candle however I'm not religious. I think I just really need to learn to be alone passing time kindly

If I understood your first post correctly OP, then you have company for Christmas Day and Boxing Day? But the following week can be tricky to navigate if you’re feeling low, I call it Crimbo Limbo, it’s a waste of a week.

Can you find yourself one nice thing to do each day, til you’re back at work on the 30th?