It is that time of year when we all look forward to ringing in the New Year with the hope of a bright new future. However, for those of you who are newly single or who are going through a divorce, the thought of kissing someone at the stroke of midnight may send you running to hide in your closet.
There is never a good time to experience the end of a relationship or go through a divorce. Most people arrive at the end of a relationship only after a long emotional journey. Going through the New Year's celebration alone is difficult. This time of year is perhaps the worst time to be facing a break-up or divorce. Don't despair. Life will continue, and love will find its way to you again. In the meantime, surviving means re-evaluating your goals and expectations.
Here is a list of ten things you can do to get through the holiday. With a good attitude, levity, and lots of humor, you will make it through to new beginnings and a new year.
10. Adopt a pet from your local animal shelter. There is nothing like unconditional love to make you feel appreciated. Turn your negative feelings into something good by adopting a pet. Animals love you no matter how much you weigh or how bad you feel. It is nice to have a sweet animal greet you at the door when coming home to an otherwise empty home. You will also be possibly saving a life of an animal in need. Of course, please make sure you are well-informed and financially able to take care of your new furry (or scaly) friend.
9. Establish an exercise regimen. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Exercise gives you energy and empowerment over your body and spirit. Your new body will also make your ex pine with jealousy when he/she sees you next. Make a list of fitness goals and follow through with each goal. Reward yourself as you you meet and exceed each fitness milestone.
8. Volunteer for your favorite charity. If you find yourself alone on New Year's Day, volunteer at your local Salvation Army, food bank, or homeless shelter. Giving your time to others in need will give you perspective and will certainly ensure that you will be doing something rewarding rather than wondering how your ex is spending the day.
7. Buy yourself a gift. You already bought that designer purse for your ungrateful niece or the Call of Duty game for your less-than-deserving nephew for Christmas, now its time to 'give the gift that keeps on giving' - you! Buy yourself a New Year's gift.
6. Pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a facial at the local spa. Invest in that cosmetic procedure you have been contemplating, but couldn't indulge in because you had to take care of everyone else in the family.
5. For the newly single or divorced man, take a trip with your friends. You have wanted to escape the annual boring party for years. Take that sporting/adventure trip, go party in Vegas. This is your chance to do all those things you said you would do if you could just spend New Year's Eve the way you wanted. This is also your chance to rekindle that friendship with your best buddy with whom your ex would not allow you to spend time.
4. If you have children, preserve your holiday traditions. If you still have children at home, maintain a sense of normalcy. Children thrive in stability so do your best to preserve the holiday traditions that you and your ex-spouse held dear while you were married. With each passing year, you will have the opportunity to establish your own traditions for celebrating the New Year.
3. Do your own thing. Instead of attending the dreaded New Year's Eve party with all your friends who are blissfully in love only to face twenty questions about the reasons for your break-up or divorce, send a polite regret saying, "I'm ringing in the New Year with me and myself. See you all next year."
2. Toast yourself. The night before New Year's Eve, go to the local pub in your area and ask the bartender to serve you a pint of Guinness ™ in a chilled mug. Within half an hour you will hear tales of salaciousness, infidelity, divorce, loneliness, and other misfortunes you can't even imagine. You will realize there are people in worse situations than you. I can personally vouch for this one.
1. Salute. With each sip of Macallan and each puff of your Cohiba Black Robusto, repeat after me..."that blankety-blank-blank did not deserve me." Drink responsibly, of course.
Happy New Year to all. Enjoy yourself and please don't drink and drive. Here's wishing you good cheer, and here's hoping your weary heart will mend and that true love will be yours this New Year.