Five and a half hours. It doesn’t seem that long, does it?
It’s only half of my average work day. If it was an afternoon lazing around
reading, it would go by in a flash. But it’s a world away from my family. I don’t
drive, and the Greyhound only runs once a day, in the morning, so I don’t get
to see them very often. Sometimes my heart aches with how much I miss them.
This feeling comes out more than ever during the Christmas holidays, or as I
call them, the bawlidays. Working as much as I do, at a business that’s open
365 days a year, I haven’t gotten to go home for Christmas since 2012. With
three siblings, two of which have kids, and aging grandparents, they can’t exactly
pack everyone up and come here either.
I already battle with depression, so being alone during the
holidays is extra difficult. It’s not December if I haven’t cried from loneliness
at least once. To combat this, I’ve spent Christmas with a multitude of people,
a whole host of saints who’ve taken my sorry ass in. From friends to coworkers
to boyfriends, to one memorable year where I made Cornish hens for a roommate I
barely knew, then we ate them in silence before gorging ourselves on cookies. I
then topped the night off by getting very drunk off mini airplane bottles of
alcohol with my boyfriend at the time. My Christmases have gotten better since,
with the last two years being spent with my amazing boyfriend’s family, but the
point is, I’ve always made a point to make my own Christmas cheer.
A few good ways to combat the holiday blues when away from
home:
- Have a holiday get together. I always make sure to make time to go out with friends around the holidays. You can do a gift exchange, or just go out for a tasty meal. Last year, a few of my best friends and I did a gift exchange and a couple rounds of bowling, and my roommates and I went to Denny’s to exchange presents. It was a great time, and definitely lifted my spirits.
- Bake some cookies and listen to Christmas music. This one is pretty self explanatory. I grab my favourite cookie recipe, and my copy of Barenaked For The Holidays from The Barenaked Ladies, which is, in my opinion, the best Christmas album ever, and away I go! It instantly lifts my mood. Add a good glass of wine, and you’re really set.
- Get outside. I understand that when it’s miserable, and slushy, and cold, the last thing you want to do is go outside, but it honestly helps. Getting a few gulps of cold winter air can really help clear your head.
- Treat yourself. I love to treat myself to little things around the holidays. A tin of my favourite Tims Hortons peppermint hot chocolate, or those delicious seashell shaped Belgian chocolates that everyone sells around Christmas are two of my favourites, but it could also be a pretty new red lipstick, which is very seasonally appropriate, or a cute new sweater to wear to those holiday get-togethers. Whatever small indulgence you want, do it!
- Make sure to have plans on Christmas day. Whether it’s going to someone’s house, volunteering, or even picking up a shift at work, I highly recommend making some kind of plans. Some of you may prefer to spend the day alone, but I couldn’t imagine it. It warms my heart to spend it with others.
My heart still hurts being away from those I
love, especially my grandparents as they get older, and my niece and nephews as
they grow up and have more excitement over the holidays, but I’ve come to the
realization that since I can’t be home, making my own joy is the best thing I
can do. I hope this is of help to anyone alone this year. If you need to reach
out as we slide into Christmas, please do. We’re always here and we love you
all!
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