This year, I noticed an overwhelming presence of Holiday Funk. My friends had it, my family had it and even my dog had it. The Funk loomed overhead as we rushed from store to store, trying to find that perfect gift and followed us in the the days spent cleaning for holiday guests. It also found us as we spent hours planning visits with family and friends, during which we spent more time driving than we did celebrating the holidays. I saw the dreaded Holiday Funk in everyone I knew. The pressure to spend money, time and energy adhering to generations of familial traditions can be exhausting for many.
Holidays are about your significant other and kids, right? They are about sending amazing holiday cards with pictures of you, your family and your adorable family dog, right? Maybe not. If you were a singleton during the holidays, and your card would only showcase you and Ernie, your new Goldfish, the holiday funk only intensified. If you are not engaged, married or otherwise betrothed during the holiday season, then you are not living up to the idea perpetuated by jewelry stores, chain retailers or car dealerships. Your office holiday party surely expected that you bring a date (quick! Grab a neighbor/distant cousin/person you met at the bar/taco stand last night!) or suffer the interrogations and cloud of single life looming overhead. Be honest...did you invite that nice, yet socially incapable guy/girl from your book club/hiking group/local library just so you didn't have to show up alone? If you did, you were in good company.
If you were in Single City during the holidays, rejoice!! You may have successfully avoided complicated family visitation planning, frivolous spending and endless car trips/cancelled flights. If you were flying solo this holiday season, your freedom, extra money and energy just might make your Annual Holiday letter the most exciting one yet! So write that Annual Letter about your travels to Bora Bora, Fiji and Europe and send that amazing holiday card of you, Ernie and all the new friends you collected along your journey!
Happy Holidays, Happy Singledom and Happy Travels!!
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