The holidays can be a very stressful time for most people. If someone is not going to visit family during the holidays, it can be manageable but also incredibly lonely. This is true for college students many miles away from home, people who have lost loved ones during the holidays, or those who are distant geographically from family members. Because so much emphasis is placed on family during the holidays, it can feel as if the holidays aren’t to be celebrated because family is away.

Even if you don’t have family around, the holidays can still be celebrated. There are many ways to celebrate holidays with family who are not around. You may even find the holidays especially rewarding as you can spend time doing more things you love and not spending so much time fulfilling obligations with family. Here are three ways to combat loneliness during the holidays:

Do Something New

Although the holidays can be difficult without the joy of spending time with family, consider spending this extra time doing something new. It is always exciting to explore new horizons, start new hobbies, and begin new traditions. Just because family is not around this year does not mean a holiday can’t be memorable. Take the extra time you will not be with family to travel to a new place. Pick a place you’ve always wanted to visit and take the time to do it.

Although holiday traffic can be challenging and flights can be difficult to attain, you can find the holidays or a time when you can explore new and exciting places with a little organization and creativity. You can even be daring and go to a place outside of the United States to try new foods and celebrate the holidays in a new way. Absorb Irish, Italian, or French culture and how they celebrate the holidays.

Ditch the traditional Turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving for French or Italian cuisine in a new place. Trying something new and exploring new horizons can take the sting out of loneliness when not with family. Plus, it will take your mind off not being with loved ones while pioneering new terrain.

Take Advantage of Technology

Technological advances can be advantageous during the holiday season. This is especially true for loved ones who are incapacitated and can’t move from their homes to travel to be with family. Take advantage of software programs like Zoom or Skype to be with your loved ones. Ask a family member who is hosting dinner to host you on Zoom. Make your dinner and eat it while your family is at home.

Ask the family member to use the laptop or iPad to span the room so you can see each person. You can even converse with each person while you’re eating dinner in the comfort of your own home. If COVID has taught us anything, we can get creative with how we interact with loved ones. Although we may not feel the same as being in person with the ones we love, technological advances like iPads, Zoom, and other screen-driven devices can help us see and hear from our loved ones, and have it be as close to an alternative as being there in person.

Choose to be with your loved ones in spirit this year. You may not be physically with them, but you may be able to be with them as you hear the conversations and see the people interacting at the table. You can do this with children or grandchildren as they open gifts. Wait to have the kids open gifts until you can get on a Zoom call, watch them open them, and see their reactions firsthand.

Try a New Hobby

Not only is the extra time during the holidays good for exploring new horizons, but you can also try a new hobby. Think about some new things, such as a new skill you would like to learn or a new hobby you would like to try. Did you ever want to learn to knit? Crochet? Drawing? Painting? Save some of the holiday money you receive and try a new hobby. Even if you aren’t good at it, the fact that you tried it will be a way to cross off an item from your bucket list.

Additionally, use your extra time to absorb yourself into this new hobby. If a new hobby requires practice, use the time during the holidays to practice. It will be good for you not to worry about work or other obligations while focusing solely on your new project.

The holidays can be incredibly lonely for people who don’t have family around. However, by trying some of the suggestions above, you can use the extra time wisely and embark on a new skill, explore new horizons, and be with family in ways you never thought.

Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award winning author, speaker, pastor’s wife and mother. She is a regular contributor for ibelieve.com and crosswalk.com and is a movie reviewer for Movieguide Magazine. She also is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog, Cookie. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.

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