Are you dreading the holidays? How can you bring joy into this holiday season?

Most people approach the holidays with dread. If they have a family, the holidays bring them face to face with strong feelings, like: “Where did this family come from anyway? And why can’t they just accept me and love me as I am?” It’s like having a strange gathering with a few who love you and others who are holiday terminators, set out to be the very opposite of who you are, reminding you of what a total misfit you are.

This time of year also brings on holiday blues. We are reminded of how lonely we are most of the time and there’s no one close who really cares about us. This emptiness is painful and brings on great suffering and anxiety. We wonder if this is our future, with more of the same. Our inner talk goes, “Am I going to live in isolation forever? Will this pain ever go away?  Can I not have love like so many others enjoy? Why can’t I have someone to love and be loved by?”

These holiday mindsets can be shifted to holiday liberation & joy! Here’s how:

No matter how long you have experienced dreadful holidays, this year everything needs to change.

First of all, you do have a choice. Even the obligatory family dinner has its rewards. You get to practice your love skills of patience, listening, honoring, and helping. And you can always show up a little late and leave a little early to do what you really want to do, like take a nature walk or meet up with friends and go to a fun movie.

And if you are all alone, you can start planning now to get out of the apartment or house where you live and do something you love. At some point of the day, make an arrangement to meet up with someone you enjoy. Some groups (ALYNON & others) have meetings on holidays to help people get through. Seek out meaningful gatherings where hearts connect and intimacy is at its finest.

One of the biggest connectors we know is to make a list of your top 5 or 10 fave people. Call them up on the morning of the holiday and tell them the top 3 things you most love about them. Then, wish them a wonderful holiday! Whether or not you are meeting a group of people later, we assure you, these calls will be the highlight of your – and their – holiday.

Do you know anyone who would rather not hear what you most love about them? We assure you there is no one! This love call opens hearts and quickly fills in all gaps that previously divided you from these people. All it takes is one open heart. Your friends will remember this call for a long time.

When it comes to the holidays & to end loneliness, spread the joy, and share your love! This will turn your holiday into a lasting, memorable experience.