Holidays are usually a time to celebrate with family and friends, when you gather around the dinner table and eat traditional meals and treats. But sometimes you can’t be with family on holidays, even when you desperately want to be. Maybe you’re traveling, or you have work, and it will be difficult, but you will be okay.
I am immensely close with my family. We had once a month family dinners for most of my teen years and every holiday the family comes together to eat (and drink) and chat and love one another. It’s extremely difficult for me to be away from my family for ANY holiday. I cried at work when I couldn’t fly home for Easter, of all holidays, and called out when I couldn’t go home for Mother’s Day. So, holidays are extremely important to me, but when you can’t always make it home, it can be extremely difficult. Here are the some ways that I’ve found help me cope when I can’t get home.
How Do You Deal with a Holiday Away From Family?
When you are close with your family, it can be difficult to cope with being alone on a holiday. Some of the best ways to handle being away from family is to make food you associate with the holiday, invite friends over to celebrate and to practice self care during this time so that you can make the best out of the situation.
Make food that you associate with the holiday.
Food can be extremely comforting. Keeping yourself busy making special treats can keep your mind off your struggles. So ask your mom for her Christmas cookie recipe or Aunt Sally for her macaroni and cheese that she always makes for Fourth of July so that you can make the food and eat along with them at dinner.
If you have to work try to take off.
I know this is not always possible, (like I mentioned, I cried at work on Easter) and it can be extremely difficult to work when you know that the rest of your family is together. But it’s best to take off so that your emotions don’t affect your work. When you take off, even if you can’t see your family, you’ll still be able to wallow a bit without having to worry about working.
If you do have to work, try to set up a small celebration at work. Maybe have a lunch potluck, so everyone can have a snack on break. Or set up a gift exchange with your coworkers, so you have a bit of celebration together.
Get on the phone with your family.
You might (will definitely) cry but it might help to still be able to chat with them and see them while they’re celebrating. You can even try to get on the phone while they’re eating their meal, and if you’ve made any of your traditional foods you can eat dinner along with them. That way you can hear all of the conversations, and really feel like you’re with them. Even better, get on a video call so you can see everyone and chat with them. Ask to have the phone passed around the table so that you get to talk to everyone.
Keep some of the traditions.
Holding onto the traditions that you hold dear will help you to feel closer to your family that you are missing. If you always decorate your tree on Thanksgiving, video call your family if you can, blast some Christmas music, and decorate your trees together. It will almost be like you’re in the same room.
Hang out with friends.
Friends are another form of family, so spending time with them during the holidays can definitely lift your spirits. Maybe you can bake Christmas cookies with them, or host a friendsgiving so that you can all be together. Chances are if you are away and alone for a holiday, there may be other people in the same boat.
Make time for self care.
Self care is extremely important, especially when you know you’re going to experience some stress. If baking or cooking is relaxing for you (like it is for me) make some of those traditional snacks. If you’re not a baker, light a nice candle, and read or take a bath. Whatever makes you the happiest.
