Christmas is a time when everything seems to be right in the world, but it can also be a difficult time for those who are going through grief or whose family have been split up. If you are spending Christmas without your loved one, it can be especially hard, but there are ways to cope with this.
1. Talk about your loved one with friends and family, if you are comfortable doing so. This can help to make it easier for them to understand what you are going through and how they can be supportive.
2. Start a new tradition that includes your loved one, as this can be a way to create memories and honour them during the holidays. This could be a new Christmas card that you send, having a photo shoot together, or having your loved one’s favourite Christmas meal at the table.
3. Find the small pleasures in life, and focus on them during this time. It’s often the little things that can make all the difference. So if you’re feeling a little down this Christmas, try to remember all the little things that made your loved one happy. It might be a small thing like a favourite movie, or even a new piece of jewellery that you’ve been meaning to get for a while.
4. Take some time out for yourself, if possible. This can be a great way to escape from the festive hustle and bustle of Christmas, and it’s an important part of healing and recovery. It might be a quiet walk in the park, or simply spending a day reading a book that you’ve been wanting to read for ages.
5. Do something that you love, or find new hobbies to pursue if this is your first Christmas without your loved one. If you’ve always loved painting, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a brush and re-discover your creativity. It’s also a chance to catch up with friends or family that you may not have seen for a while.
6. Work, if you can manage it. This can be a really useful option for those who find it hard to spend their spare time with other people and are unable to go away on a holiday or see their loved ones. This can also be a good chance to work on that project you’ve been putting off for a while, so you might end up having a productive time this Christmas!
7. Volunteer for a local cause. This can be a really great way to get out and help others, and it can be particularly helpful at this time of year when everyone is busy.
8. Plan ahead to make sure that you don’t find yourself on your own next Christmas – it’s never too late to change this!
If you have the means and are prepared for the challenge, there are a lot of charities that can make a big difference to those in need. These include First Book, Reach Out and Read, Achilles International, and more.
