Limitless Monday – Home Alone at Christmas

Limitless Monday – Home alone at Christmas

Christmas is a perfect time of year to catch up with family, friends, and a time for reflection.

It’s also a good time to recharge your batteries and prepare to start the New Year with a bang.

This article is for those of us who are not surrounded by their family and friends and are going to be spending Christmas and New Year alone.

Believe it or not there are major benefits to spending the holidays on our own. That is why you definitely shouldn’t feel sad about your current predicament.

Time on your own without the constant interruptions of instant messages, scam calls, and the bitching of needy friends and colleagues provides an ideal time to tie up loose ends before the New Year begins.

While drinking copious amounts of wine and opening an endless stream of gifts may sound appealing, it has its obvious downsides. A stinking hangover is one.

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What would I be doing if I had to spend the holidays confined to the 4 walls of my apartment without any company?

Last year was one such year for me.

Here are a few ideas if you find yourself alone this Christmas.

Clear out your closet – it’s time to rid yourself of those clothes which are taking up too much space and you are never going to wear.

Catch up with some reading – pick up the book sitting on your nightstand, the one that has been there unopened for the last 12 months. Aim to finish it.

Do some exercise – start your day with a run, 100 burpees, or a 30 minute yoga session. That burst of exertion will motivate you to be productive over the next few days.

Prepare your list of priorities for the New Year – then ponder how you intend to achieve these.

Do some paperwork, pay your bills, do your taxes.

Listen to an inspirational podcast.

Watch an uplifting film.

Cook a delicious meal and treat yourself to a good bottle of red wine – an Argentinian Malbec.

If you are in desperate need of company, join a meetup group and spend your Christmas socializing and drinking with new friends.

Go to bed at a reasonable hour so you are ready to kick ass in the morning when most of the world is sleeping and feeling sorry for itself. The next day we all start on an equal footing, and guess what? If you have taken my advice, you are already ahead of the game compared to those who have over indulged in booze, sleep, and food. They enter the New Year sluggish and dreading the first day back at work. You enter it with a burning desire to smash whatever stands in your way.

A few things to avoid:

Try not to get hammered on Christmas Eve. Despite all the positive thoughts I have instilled in you, it will be difficult to enjoy your day in a positive frame of mind when you feel like crap.

Don’t spend the day watching depressing movies and listening to melancholy music. That is going to leave you feeling sorry for yourself.

If you are surrounded by family, spare a thought for those who don’t have the same gift. If you know someone like this, send them a message or give them a quick call. It is sure to brighten their day and remind them there are people who care out there. If you are in receipt of such a message, remember you are loved and get back to those burpees.

There will not be an article next week as I have my closet to clear out…

Happy Monday and Happy Holidays!

Banner Image: Waiting for family at Christmas. Image Credit – Laura Beth Snipes