1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,740 Well, the holiday season is upon us again. 2 00:00:02,879 --> 00:00:06,080 Hallmark Christmas movies are fun, but just don't 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:06,740 cut it. 4 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:09,679 Look, surviving the holidays as a single person 5 00:00:09,679 --> 00:00:10,660 can be tough. 6 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:13,759 As single women and men dreading yet another 7 00:00:13,759 --> 00:00:15,059 holiday season alone, 8 00:00:15,504 --> 00:00:18,004 you're probably struggling or thinking about 9 00:00:18,545 --> 00:00:20,864 where you're gonna spend the holidays to avoid 10 00:00:20,864 --> 00:00:22,085 depression and loneliness, 11 00:00:23,024 --> 00:00:25,504 how unfair it is that another Christmas is 12 00:00:25,504 --> 00:00:27,445 coming and you're still single. 13 00:00:28,289 --> 00:00:30,449 What you're gonna tell or do to those 14 00:00:30,449 --> 00:00:32,789 annoying relatives who ask you again 15 00:00:33,170 --> 00:00:34,710 why you're not yet married? 16 00:00:35,729 --> 00:00:37,969 The holiday season is often seen as a 17 00:00:37,969 --> 00:00:40,549 time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. 18 00:00:41,649 --> 00:00:44,384 However, for many single Christians, it can also 19 00:00:44,384 --> 00:00:46,085 be a challenging and lonely 20 00:00:46,864 --> 00:00:50,645 time. The emphasis on family gatherings, romantic relationships, 21 00:00:51,265 --> 00:00:52,564 and holiday traditions 22 00:00:53,104 --> 00:00:55,684 can sometimes make you get the feeling of 23 00:00:55,984 --> 00:00:56,484 FOMO. 24 00:00:58,225 --> 00:00:59,310 But fear not. 25 00:00:59,710 --> 00:01:01,649 With the right mindset and strategies, 26 00:01:02,109 --> 00:01:04,829 you can not only survive, but thrive during 27 00:01:04,829 --> 00:01:05,569 the holidays 28 00:01:05,870 --> 00:01:07,090 as a single Christian. 29 00:01:08,590 --> 00:01:11,325 Surviving the holiday blues survival guide. 30 00:01:12,125 --> 00:01:14,364 As you reflect upon how to approach the 31 00:01:14,364 --> 00:01:16,625 potential for holiday blues this season, 32 00:01:17,084 --> 00:01:19,325 it's important to celebrate in a way you 33 00:01:19,325 --> 00:01:21,424 feel comfortable as a single person, 34 00:01:21,965 --> 00:01:23,984 whether you are dating or not. 35 00:01:24,685 --> 00:01:26,840 As you begin to see all the commercialism, 36 00:01:27,219 --> 00:01:29,799 decorations, and Christmas pagan hype, 37 00:01:30,259 --> 00:01:33,379 let the following holiday do's and don'ts guide 38 00:01:33,379 --> 00:01:33,879 you. 39 00:01:34,819 --> 00:01:36,359 Holiday do's for singles. 40 00:01:37,379 --> 00:01:39,540 Focus on the birth of our dear lord 41 00:01:39,540 --> 00:01:40,840 and savior Jesus 42 00:01:41,234 --> 00:01:43,174 as the focal point of your holiday. 43 00:01:44,114 --> 00:01:46,375 Not to employ an overused cliche, 44 00:01:46,754 --> 00:01:49,474 but he is after all the reason for 45 00:01:49,474 --> 00:01:50,135 the season. 46 00:01:51,075 --> 00:01:52,995 If you have never heard the good news 47 00:01:52,995 --> 00:01:53,814 about Jesus, 48 00:01:54,130 --> 00:01:56,290 you can read here about how to become 49 00:01:56,290 --> 00:01:57,510 a child of God. 50 00:01:58,130 --> 00:02:00,069 Jesus loves you so much. 51 00:02:01,489 --> 00:02:03,650 Do remember that as a single, you have 52 00:02:03,650 --> 00:02:05,890 the same need and right to enjoy this 53 00:02:05,890 --> 00:02:06,950 holiday season 54 00:02:07,329 --> 00:02:09,615 as any other couple or family does. 55 00:02:10,495 --> 00:02:12,575 So if you wanna decorate your home or 56 00:02:12,575 --> 00:02:13,075 apartment, 57 00:02:13,455 --> 00:02:14,435 do it up well. 58 00:02:15,055 --> 00:02:17,135 How you choose to spend the holidays is 59 00:02:17,135 --> 00:02:18,435 your personal choice, 60 00:02:19,135 --> 00:02:20,995 not that of those around you. 61 00:02:21,990 --> 00:02:25,189 Before being cajoled by friends and family members 62 00:02:25,189 --> 00:02:27,370 to attend this event or that party, 63 00:02:28,069 --> 00:02:30,229 ask yourself if this is really what you 64 00:02:30,229 --> 00:02:31,050 wanna do. 65 00:02:31,590 --> 00:02:33,590 Will it make you feel more lonely and 66 00:02:33,590 --> 00:02:34,090 depressed? 67 00:02:34,949 --> 00:02:35,629 Will it bring others and you some measure 68 00:02:35,629 --> 00:02:36,569 of joy? As a single person, set 69 00:02:49,284 --> 00:02:49,784 unrealistic 70 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:50,780 expectations 71 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:53,739 of what the holiday time should bring. 72 00:02:54,519 --> 00:02:56,859 That way, if things don't go that way, 73 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,340 there will be less disappointment and hurt. 74 00:03:00,039 --> 00:03:03,000 Jesus said, it's more blessed to give than 75 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:03,739 to receive. 76 00:03:04,425 --> 00:03:06,905 So make this Christmas a time of service 77 00:03:06,905 --> 00:03:07,564 to others 78 00:03:07,944 --> 00:03:10,425 instead of focusing on your own needs and 79 00:03:10,425 --> 00:03:11,965 wants as a single person. 80 00:03:12,985 --> 00:03:15,305 Doing things such as feeding the poor or 81 00:03:15,305 --> 00:03:16,365 visiting the sick 82 00:03:16,665 --> 00:03:18,765 will not only help you put the holidays 83 00:03:18,825 --> 00:03:20,459 into their proper perspective, 84 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:23,259 it will cause your spirits to soar. 85 00:03:23,879 --> 00:03:25,259 We guarantee it. 86 00:03:26,039 --> 00:03:28,060 If you have not already done so, 87 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:30,840 find a Christian singles group or church in 88 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:31,580 your area 89 00:03:31,895 --> 00:03:34,135 where you can find and give support to 90 00:03:34,135 --> 00:03:35,915 other singles during the holidays. 91 00:03:36,775 --> 00:03:39,014 If you're not part of any group, why 92 00:03:39,014 --> 00:03:41,574 not throw a holiday bash for other single 93 00:03:41,574 --> 00:03:42,635 friends you know? 94 00:03:43,655 --> 00:03:46,055 Make sure to count every blessing the Lord 95 00:03:46,055 --> 00:03:47,789 has granted to you in the past. 96 00:03:48,509 --> 00:03:51,469 The holidays are an excellent opportunity to reflect 97 00:03:51,469 --> 00:03:53,169 on the blessings in your life. 98 00:03:53,789 --> 00:03:55,949 As a single Christian, you can focus on 99 00:03:55,949 --> 00:03:57,489 the gratitude you feel 100 00:03:57,789 --> 00:04:00,750 for your relationship with God, your friends, and 101 00:04:00,750 --> 00:04:01,889 your church community. 102 00:04:02,935 --> 00:04:05,175 Take time to count your blessings and thank 103 00:04:05,175 --> 00:04:07,675 God for the abundance of love and support 104 00:04:07,735 --> 00:04:08,555 in your life. 105 00:04:09,735 --> 00:04:11,355 Holiday don'ts for singles. 106 00:04:12,375 --> 00:04:14,235 Avoid using too much alcohol, 107 00:04:14,694 --> 00:04:16,154 Ephesians five eighteen, 108 00:04:16,779 --> 00:04:18,479 to cope with holiday stress 109 00:04:19,019 --> 00:04:21,120 because this tends to make one depressed. 110 00:04:21,979 --> 00:04:24,779 As singles, we tend to overbook ourselves to 111 00:04:24,779 --> 00:04:25,839 the point of exhaustion. 112 00:04:27,019 --> 00:04:29,100 Make sure you don't do this this holiday 113 00:04:29,100 --> 00:04:32,264 season, but give yourself plenty of downtime to 114 00:04:32,264 --> 00:04:33,564 relax and rest. 115 00:04:34,425 --> 00:04:37,004 Fatigue can lead to negative thought patterns. 116 00:04:38,105 --> 00:04:40,584 Don't spend all your holiday time with family 117 00:04:40,584 --> 00:04:41,964 members and other couples, 118 00:04:42,439 --> 00:04:44,759 but split the time with your single friends 119 00:04:44,759 --> 00:04:45,419 as well. 120 00:04:46,199 --> 00:04:48,199 This will help you keep a more positive 121 00:04:48,199 --> 00:04:48,699 perspective 122 00:04:49,319 --> 00:04:51,259 while enjoying everybody's company. 123 00:04:52,439 --> 00:04:53,419 Overall, however, 124 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:56,264 if you choose to celebrate the Christmas or 125 00:04:56,264 --> 00:04:57,165 New Year holidays, 126 00:04:57,865 --> 00:04:59,165 remember to be safe, 127 00:04:59,545 --> 00:05:01,884 trust in God's promises for your future, 128 00:05:02,345 --> 00:05:03,965 Jeremiah twenty nine eleven, 129 00:05:04,425 --> 00:05:05,485 and have fun. 130 00:05:06,025 --> 00:05:07,004 Happy holidays. 131 00:05:08,425 --> 00:05:11,324 Surviving the holidays alone as a single Christian 132 00:05:11,789 --> 00:05:13,169 is not only possible, 133 00:05:13,550 --> 00:05:15,789 but can be a season of personal growth 134 00:05:15,789 --> 00:05:17,009 and spiritual enrichment. 135 00:05:18,029 --> 00:05:19,409 By embracing gratitude, 136 00:05:20,110 --> 00:05:21,729 creating meaningful traditions, 137 00:05:22,349 --> 00:05:24,370 staying active in your church community, 138 00:05:24,909 --> 00:05:26,209 reaching out to others, 139 00:05:26,714 --> 00:05:29,455 practicing self care, and deepening your faith, 140 00:05:29,915 --> 00:05:32,235 you can find joy and purpose during this 141 00:05:32,235 --> 00:05:33,774 special time of the year. 142 00:05:34,555 --> 00:05:36,334 Remember that you are not alone, 143 00:05:36,634 --> 00:05:38,940 and God's love and presence are with you 144 00:05:38,940 --> 00:05:40,720 every step of the way. 145 00:05:41,500 --> 00:05:43,740 Are you a single person with added thoughts 146 00:05:43,740 --> 00:05:45,600 on surviving the holiday blues? 147 00:05:46,300 --> 00:05:48,865 Help others by sharing your thoughts with you.