Okay, so if there is one time of year when you truly realize how single you are, it is most definitely this one. Holiday season is officially in full swing, and so is single awareness. From all of those couples on your Instagram timeline posting “Thankful For You” posts during Thanksgiving to the many, typical kissing under the mistletoe pictures to follow in December. You’re reminded day in and day out that all you’ve got for Christmas is YOURSELF.
But being solo this holiday season shouldn’t be such a negative thing. In fact, it’s pretty freakin’ awesome, and here are just a few reasons why:
― No stressing over buying your significant other that perfect present. This year you don’t have to spend the entire month of December stressing over if he will love your gift or not.
― Instead, you can spend that money on something YOU want! So go ahead and treat yourself; you deserve it!
― You are able to spend all of your time with your own family. Nothing can come close or replace your own family. This year you wont have to leave early to make your significant other’s family dinner.
― Also, you don’t have to go through the whole awkwardness of meeting a million members of their family. I’m a people person, and I love meeting new people. But telling your life story a billion times in one day can be a bit exhausting on an already busy day.
― No stress of bringing someone around. Whenever I have brought someone around for the holidays, at every function I feel like I’m checking up on him to make sure he’s okay and having a good time. This year, the only thing I have to worry about is myself and how I’m going to manage to spike my egg nog without my grandma knowing.
― You might be getting asked the question “when are you getting a boyfriend?” but at least it’s not “when are you having babies?” Even though both are equally annoying.
― It’s the perfect time of year to meet other singles. You’re not the only one who was sitting on their couch watching The Grinch, swiping through Tinder an hour before they said screw it, let’s go out. Now here you both are at the bar... coincidence, I think not.
― Bar crawls are great, holiday bar crawls are better, and holiday bar crawls while single are the greatest. You’re all in the cheerful spirit and have a nice merry buzz. You’re single, so let’s mingle.
― When you’re single, you have the opportunity to attend as many holiday parties as you want. One of the greatest things about this time of year is the holiday parties. You know that hot guy you met at the bar last night? I bet ya (well I hope so, anyways) that he has a job, and most jobs have holiday parties, and nobody likes to go date-less. Ta-da!
― Whenever you decide to shave your legs is up to you. Your bed sheets aren’t judging you.
― All of your old friends come into town, and you can spend as much time with them as you want. You don’t have anyone telling you to hurry home. So bring back those old reckless times for at least a night.
― As well as old friends in town, there are also old “flings”... enough said.
― Nobody will be biting off of your plate on Thanksgiving day. It is the best meal of the entire year ― sorry, but I don’t want to share with anybody. I might love ya, but not that much.
― Your tree can be as girly as you want it to be. I mean seriously, you should see the tree my roommate and I decorated in our living room. Full of glittery gold and has a crown as the topper. I won’t be able to have a tree like that whenever I get married one day.
― Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you have to miss out on cute Christmas dates. Because guess what... they are even more fun with your best friend.
― BRING ALL ON THOSE TACKY HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES MEN LOVE TO HATE ON. In your Olaf onesie.
― You don’t have to share the covers or your bottle of wine. It’s cold in the winter, but don’t worry, these two will warm you up!
― You can have a mistletoe kiss, too. This year it’ll just be a little more exciting because you have no clue who it’ll be with.
― New year, new opportunities, new beginnings, new people. I’m always filled with excitement and hope at the start of a new year. It’s time to get excited about what this new year has in store, and live it to the fullest.
So even though my aunt I see once a year gives me a crazy look when I tell her I’m single for yet another year, I am going to smile. Because I have a wonderful, full, exciting, beautiful life, with or without a significant other. I’m not “alone” at all. My life is full of amazing people, lots of adventures and wine that keeps me happy!
Cheers to the most wonderful time of the year!