Being single during the holidays can be especially tough, with all of the mistletoe and "New Years Kiss" talk always being around. I have found myself single every December for as long as I can remember and throughout high school it didn't seem to matter to me because honestly, boys were gross subjects to me. Now as a 20-year-old college student, I can definitely say things have changed. That being said, the winter holidays can be very draining for us single folk, what with the relatives constantly sticking their noses into our personal lives and constantly being surrounded by happy couples. Fortunately for us, it doesn't have to be hard because there are plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays and enter 2016 while single.
Here are five ways to enjoy your holidays and start off the New Year happy and positively:
- Take up a new hobby. Have you always wanted to paint or learn something new? Now is your time to do so. Local community centers often offer introductory classes for the community and are usually inexpensive, making it very easy and affordable to develop a new talent.
- Develop new habits. Almost everybody makes unrealistic resolutions at the beginning of the year, and when they begin to stray from them, negative feelings run rampant. Instead of implementing drastic changes, such as cutting all sugars out of food, focus on small behaviors like nail biting. By doing this, you will be able to stick with your resolutions more easily and still benefit.
- Switch up your look. The new year is an opportunity to reinvent and reinvigorate yourself, so why not go all out? Dye your hair, buy new clothes, maybe splurge on a spa day. Make yourself the best you that you can be. A new look can give you so much confidence and who doesn't want that?
- Go to the holiday "date spots" with a friend. Most places have seasonal activities that can quickly turn into popular date spots during Christmas and New Years. By taking a close friend with you, it allows for you to still have fun while surrounded by couples, making your single status an afterthought while out and about.
- Explore your city. I myself am hardly ever home, so when I am I take time to discover new areas around my city. By making a point to go to new stores and restaurants to fill your winter break, you not only start the new year with new experiences but you also have stories to share the next time your love life dominates a conversation.
- Chill out. College is very stressful and if you are anything like me, you value your "me time." Winter break is the perfect time to just lay back and relax. Start a new Netflix series (ahem, Grey's Anatomy) and bake cookies for yourself. Go on a hike in the woods. Take your dog on a few walks. Honestly, just make time for yourself and the things you want to do. Take advantage of your time over winter break because you won't believe how happy it can actually make you.
