Christmas is here. Okay so we really are facing an economic crisis but that shouldn’t send us into some kind of post traumatic stress. The holiday is supposed to be joyful and fun filled though it can get a bit dull when you are lonely and have bills to pay.

No matter how stressful things get, you must have some control. Be kind and gentle to yourself by planning things worth doing. You can’t do it all. So don’t even try to convince yourself that you can. Do what you feel is absolutely necessary instead of stressing with unnecessary gloom.

Christmas being the time to share and laugh, reminisce and be merry, can be painful if you are alone. With no one to laugh and share the Christmas spirit with, what’s there to be cheerful about anyway? When you are so far away from friends and family, guaranteed Christmas is anything but special.

Constant thoughts on those loved ones gnaw on your mind and make you home sick. If you are in one of those countries, where the weather gets mean then there is that to curse as well. The economic crisis does not make things any better either. At least as a family or with other people, you can somehow overcome all that and just enjoy the holiday the way it comes.

That is why it is not always bad to create some sort of friendship with the neighbors. Of course, do not go poking around in their business aimlessly (unless they remind you of the Adam’s family and give you the creeps). A simple greeting and courteous behaviour is a good way to start. You never know, on holidays the neighbor might just invite you in for a cup of eggnog!

If you really need to be alone, pamper yourself. Buy good food (considering you are alone it can’t be that expensive), listen to some great music (perhaps an album you haven’t listened to in a while), movies are great too so pick something that is cheerful and will keep you in that mode.

Take a walk. A good walk and enjoy the rain, the snow or the sun (wherever you might be). Go window shopping (or actual shopping if you have some money) and just admire the lights or the garland in the shopping centers. Just enjoy the moment and be appreciative for your blessings.

In the evenings you could just draw yourself a really nice hot bath. Sit in there and relax, thinking about the good and not what could have been. Also remember that it is so much better than having someone rudely interrupt your bath because they want to use the toilet!

Whatever it is you choose to do, do not let stress take away the grace of that one day. You have plenty of time to be stressed and mad at the world for all the debts you haven’t paid after Christmas is over. It only comes once a year and it is when our Lord was born. How would you like it someone was really moody on your birthday?

Merry Christmas!
rachelgaruka@yahoo.co.uk