Singles Guide to the Holiday
It's no secret that being single during the holiday season can be a drag. Especially with all the movies and advertisements, it’s like we are subliminally being told that we should be in a relationship. And if you aren't its assumed that you either work to hard, or your un-dateable. Well I'm here to tell you that I'm single and proud! Its nothing worse than trying to force a relationship, but that’s another conversation for another day!
CONTROL THE CONVERSATION
If you are a master of conversation then you will be fine in this area. It's nothing more annoying then constantly being asked why you are still single, or when you will settle down. And sometimes the answer is as simple as, "because I am". Every year I go home I run into someone and they ask me if I have someone special in my life, and every year my answer is the same. Even at events I go to with friends, I am constantly asked if/who I'm dating. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind being the center of attention (if its positive of course!), but I think I can speak for us all when I say, we don’t want our dating life (or lack there of) to be the center of it. So if you can, get ahead of the conversation so that you can steer it in a way that helps you.
DON’T RSVP TO EVERYTHING
What I have learned is when planning holiday events or deciding what events to attend with your friends, you want to make sure that it's "people" friendly. AKA make sure there are other singles that will be attending and not just couples. You want it to be a nice variety of people there. It's okay to be picky on what you decide to attend, so that you don't spread yourself to thin. It's nothing worst than cancelling last minute, or going and being uncomfortable because you aren't a plus one or because you cant relate to anything.
Here are a few things you can do that are diverse
Ugly Sweater Parties.
Go to the zoo and look at the lights (it sounds couple-ish, but if you go with the right group it will be a good time, not to mention the photos you can get for the gram!)
Get a group together and do a 5K.
Volunteer! It’s nothing like giving back to those less fortunate during the season, not to mention it makes you feel really good.
LIVE IN THE MOMENT/DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL
It’s a joyous time to be around friends and family. Don’t let your singleness get in the way of that. Also don’t let peoples fake pitty affect you. You know what I'm talking about, "Oh, don’t give up there's somebody out there for you" blah blah blah.
I was talking to a friend the other day and we were talking about how some people just might be intimidated by it. Your out here breaking barriers, starting businesses, traveling, etc. on your own, and living your best life. A relationship just isn't important to you right now, and that bothers some people. Or, they just want you to be as happy as they are, and they might not understand that you're perfectly fine.
TAKE A WING MAN
Instead of going alone take a friend with you. Everybody has that one friend who is the life of the party and that can be a light in a room. It will definitely make any outing much more enjoyable.