Seven Ways to Triumph Over the Lonely Holiday Blues
Author: GinaMaria Jerome

It happens every year. Many people seem full of holiday cheer and happiness, yet you find yourself feeling lonely and disconnected. There are ways to reach out this holiday season, experience comfort in the warmth of new friends, and maybe even make a difference in someone’s life.

The key to successful interactions during the holidays is putting yourself in comfortable situations while making those around you shine. Whether you’re outgoing or shy, meeting people this holiday can be an enjoyable experience that improves your self image and makes life more pleasurable.

You can easily incorporate connecting with people into your daily life, even if your days are crammed full with holiday preparations. You can meet people anywhere: standing in line at the toy store, travelling on a plane, doing your daily exercise routine, or just walking in a shopping mall. You can easily connect with those around through a few simple methods that are fun and even festive.

1. Be Yourself
Chances are you’ll naturally be meeting and running into lots of people during the holiday season. The simplest things can connect you to someone, and one of the easiest places to get started is by being yourself and showing kindness. Compliments always make people feel special and recognized. Start by noticing something unusual or unique about the person you’d like to meet. Admire a piece of their jewelry, a tie they’re wearing, or their impressive vocabulary. By pointing out something remarkable and singular, you can easily start up a conversation or make a new friend.

2. Volunteer
At no time in history has America been in more need of volunteers. Civic and charitable causes unite people with similar values and as such can unite a nation. Make gift baskets that can be distributed to the less fortunate. Offer to help the Salvation Army with their Christmas dinner. Check with your local hospital to see if you can volunteer to visit patients without close family members who would enjoy having company during the holidays. Hold reading sessions for kids at your local bookstore where you can read their favorite Christmas stories to them. If you’re uncertain where to start, contact your local Volunteer Council to see how they can assist you with finding an organization where you can help your community and meet people united in a common cause.

3. Take time to listen.
Listening is a lost art. Quite often we’re too preoccupied with our own thoughts to pay attention to those around us. To begin, put yourself in “listening mode,” and engage in the present. Forget about your upcoming business meeting, the pressures of the holidays, or where you’re going to next. Clear your mental slate and give the person you’re talking to your full attention. Look them in the eye, respond physically by nodding your head or occasionally giving verbal clues that you’re listening, and perhaps even lean forward a little to show that you’re attentive. Avoid interrupting. For better concentration, backtrack what they say by repeating key words to be sure they know you’re listening and understanding. Whether it’s a homeless person you encounter on the street or the person in front of you at the checkout line, give your full attention to someone who’s talking and watch how they open up and connect with you.

4. Mothers’ Lunch Out
How about getting to know the other mothers in your child’s daycare center? Offer to host a Christmas luncheon for the mothers either at your home, a local eatery, or even at the daycare itself. Chances are many of the mothers would love to get know one another, exchange ideas on parenting, or talk about play dates for the kids. Talk to the daycare director and staff for their thoughts and feedback. By doing so, they can probably help you coordinate the event. If it’s a lunch that also includes the children, have a picnic at a park or nearby playground where you can also have activities and events for the children.

5. Let ‘Em Wag
If you’re a dog lover, you’re in a category with lots of other people who adore their pets. Throughout the holiday, the Humane Society often needs help in adopting out animals. During this rewarding work you can walk and bathe dogs, teach them new tricks, and help them find good homes. If you’re not able to volunteer, ask your co-workers to bring pet food to the office that you will donate to the shelter. Many shelters hold photos sessions as fundraisers so pet owners can have their dog or cat pose with Santa. Check with your local pet store to see if they might be hosting a fundraiser of this kind and how you can assist them.

6. Voices Heard on High
Do you have the gift of song? Do you sing in the shower or in the car on the way to work, secretly wishing others could hear you? Then why not have a Christmas carol sing-a-long for family and friends. Perhaps you can volunteer to sing in the church choir. If you’re shy about your own vocal ability, consider organizing a youth group to go caroling during the holiday season and have them sing at veterans’ hospitals, at the children’s wing of a hospital, or at an assisted living center. Singing can warm and cheer the hearts of those around you in a way few other activities can, especially during the holiday season.

7. Around the Neighborhood
Too often people will search all over the world for friends and yet never think of looking in their own back yard. This season, reach out to those around you by getting to know the people in your neighborhood. Offer to help hang lights or put up outdoor decorations. You can even host a Christmas or New Year’s Eve block party, making it a potluck or a simple, fun get-together with appetizers and snacks. Place cards in mailboxes or on doors. Make personal invitations. Encourage neighbors to invite others they know in the neighborhood. Invite the kids, too, and have games and activities for them to do like exchange white elephant gifts, bake cookies, or make Christmas cards.

This Christmas find ways to reach out and connect with those around you. By doing so, you’ll begin to enrich your life and may well establish friendships that will keep you cheerful and warm throughout the year.

Copyright © 2000 The Write Parts. All Rights Reserved.








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About the author
GinaMaria Jerome is a writer and communication consultant -- and she can really teach you how to meet people! Her latest book, The Portable Pocket People Meeter: 50 Ways to Meet, Greet, and Communicate, is available by calling 1 (800) 431-1579. For more information about her company, The Write Parts, visit http://www.thewriteparts.com .

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