to anyone who spent christmas alone, how did you cope?

[the mists of time â˜]

id be alone over the holidays if it weren't for my mum coming to spend time with me in my flat, im nearly 36...and have lived alone now 9 years..

i dont have the option for social relationships because ive never achieved any, never had a partner or girlfriend , i suffer serious mental health problems....that is the main reason why ive never accomplished any relationships in my life.

fortunately my mum came and spent xmas with me, we had a nice few days....even though i dont have much materially .......if i didnt have my mum there , i dont know what i wouldve done......christmas would of been a lonely hell.

the tv and modern media was pathetic as usual, so i didnt think much of that.....but just to have the company of my mother.

if anyone else was on their own this christmas, and in general, id be interested to hear how you coped.

[blackgrumpycat]

It has been my tradition in the last few years to spend Christmas alone. I am quite happy doing it. I have a warm pampering bath on Christmas eve, clean bed sheets and snuggle up under the duvet. I get up when I want, make myself a mini Christmas dinner and watch rubbish TV all day. I don't get dressed until boxing day. It is all in the state of mind. If you are happy in your own company, then you don't think twice about it. If you need other people, then I guess it must be hard. If there ever comes a time when your mum can't make it, then think about volunteering with a local charity that day. Once you are helping others to celebrate their Christmas, you won't feel lonely at all.

[Lilly]

I just have the tv on constantly and try to keep busy.

[Fred F]

At times when I happen to be alone , my dog makes the best company.

Think about getting a dog if you can take care of it.

Go to a animal shelter and look around for a dog that bonds with you.
You will then have a faithful friend.

[Mandiee Snuggles]

My husband stayed with me. I missed my family they live too far away to visit during holidays. I coped by keeping myself busy. Come up with projects for yourself. Sending out Xmas cards helped. And calling loved ones was nice ( you need to take initiative and call first). Or maybe volunteering at a homeless shelter would help for Xmas. Or go to a senior center and read to them for a while.

[zendall]

First, appreciate what you have. If I am feeling left out or unlucky I think of the many ways I am lucky. It can be big things such as libraries or health care or smaller things like my favorite TV show. Attending church services is another option. They might even have a pot luck supper or coffee hour each month. Attending those would be a good first step in reaching out to others.

[khole12]

Very nicely. I am widowed and I have a lot of alone time during the holidays! Um~I play Christmas music, watch Christmas movies, eat my fave foods, stuff like that. It's very relaxing, like a day off.

[Colleen]

My family doesn't know I live in my car with my dog so I can't go see them or they'll ask why the dog is in the car. The family house had roof leaks that my family didn't want to invest in and fix so, my allergies prevented me from staying in it. Now, due to my lack of money, my water was shut off. So there's no heat. My only option is the car. I spent Christmas in my car with my dog. Alone. Eating a bowl of cereal for dinner. I don't know how I cope. I just do. It's cold and lonely. I say I'm going to play the lottery and things will change if I win but, I usually need the money for food.

[john]

Look in the dictionary, you will find sympathy under "S".

[ferochira]

As i do every year, happily and very well. You center far too much on yourself, Christmas is not about you, is it ?, it's about others and what "you" do for them and in your life.