HELPFUL HINTS TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS

The holiday season is approaching and for some, it is a joyful time of year, and for others, it becomes one of the most grueling painful sentences of living and surviving. It is to these folks, I want to reassure them, it does get a little easier with time- truly, it does…

Now, I’ve got to admit, I don’t know how many holidays I couldn’t keep my tears from shedding from missing my, ‘other’ children, (as I refer to them as such anymore,) and how badly my heart was aching. Even now, I still get that twinge of my heartstrings being pulled, to let the bottom drop out, (sort of speak,) but, I guess after all of this time, (twenty-four years later,) I have come to some form of an acceptance that, this is the way my life is meant to be and I do an affirmation of this. That little twinge goes away while in my mind, I think of them fondly and wish them a Merry Christmas- then I let all thoughts of them leave while I busy myself with what I need to do. Usually, preparing our feast- and what a glorious feast it is! *smile*

I have already walked the path that many of you are walking right now, “been there, done that, and don’t ever want to do it again,” *chuckle*. But, I do want to help you get through this season and time of year and possibly make you a little stronger as you continue either, your battle after the holidays or even your journey of being able to feel alive- like you matter in this world too. Trust me, it takes a lot within yourself to get to this way of thinking, but you’ll get there.

So, here we go HELPFUL HINTS TO SURVIVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

1.) Don’t get drunk by yourself! This causes you to think and ‘cry in your beer.’ If you do drink, be around others who makes you laugh! This is a must because you need to be around people who will help you keep your mind on other things.

2.) Don’t be by yourself! Be around others who makes you laugh! Allow yourself to laugh!

3.) Give yourself permission to go out and enjoy what you like to do.

4.) Give yourself permission to enjoy the holiday season.

5.) If you’re not allowed to be with your children on Christmas day, stay out of the kid isles in the stores! Bypass them all together!

6.) If you just can’t get your children out of your mind for awhile each day, sit down and write a letter to them, or make something you know they’d love to have.

7.) Get outdoors if the weather permits and take along a headset you can listen to while you walk or jog. Choose music that inspires you and avoid music that brings you down with memories. Also, choose new music, not what the kids liked or would like.

8.) Most importantly of all…… PRAY FOR STRENGTH TO MAKE IT THROUGH YOUR DAY…………………………..

I hope these hints help- they helped me during my time of trying to endure my own personal hell.
-Abby