Spending Christmas alone is truly a gift.

[Kaisada]

I'm not being sarcastic! It's true. I've had such a hectic semester with demands from ten different directions at all times, including internally-driven demands that relate to how I should be relating to other people, etc etc etc - I am so thankful for a few weeks where I don't have to be too bothered by other human beings and my responsibilities towards them, where I can give myself the gift of stillness and solitude. Christmas and New Year's is such a busy and stressful time for so many people - and a costly time, too. I am grateful that for me, it is a time where I can truly rest and heal. And if loneliness arises, I don't have to fear it or push it away - because I know that when my mind is still and clear, experiences will come and go, and it will go just as naturally as it has come.

I will be continuing with my part-time employment over the holidays, which consist of going in to the university's greenhouse and watering 2940 plants every day.

Anyone other solitary Christmas dwellers feel inspired to join in to challenge the societal expectation that it's not okay to be happily alone?

[Cabron]

Unfortunately, I am not able to spend my holiday time alone this year. Which is a shame, as I've been so busy and under stress and my break off school should have been sufficient time for me to regroup but alas, no. But I do heartily concur with your thoughts about solitude. It's one of the most peaceful and healing things you can do for yourself. Truly being alone, in a healthy sense, is wonderful. I'm slowly learning how to regain that sense of peace and not have it turn into abject loneliness. Thank you for this thread, though -- it helped me remember the value of true solitude. Good luck on your break. <3

[Nicole!]

I wish I was alone this holiday as well. Some of my extended family is coming over, which I never really look forward to, mostly because I'm nothing like them and it ends up awkward because I don't know what to talk about with them. I'm the youngest as well, so I'm usually left out of the conversation.

[Squidgy]

I would also rather be alone, I have to go to my grandparents house. I don't want to be rude but a lot of my family consists of racist homophobes. Me having different ideas and wants doesn't go over well with them. -_-

[Tynan]

Well technically I'm not spending it alone. I am staying home but my brother and his family is coming over. They are over often anyways so in ways its not really any different then other days. And they are only going to be over for an hour or so. So in ways I'm doing a mix of both. If that makes any sense.