Celebrating holidays after divorce can be enjoyable.
The most wonderful time of year has arrived, and there’s plenty of shopping, baking, and celebrating to be done. Of course, all that holiday cheer looks a little different from family to family, and after a divorce, the holidays might not feel so cheery anymore.
In a season that’s all about tradition and family, it’s okay to feel sad that your season may look different than you’re used to. You may be struggling with the realities of sharing kids or celebrating as a single woman for the first time in a while, and that can be really difficult when you’re used to your holiday season looking a specific way.
My hope for you is that despite the struggles you might feel this season, you’ll also remember and experience all of the things you love about the holidays. Allow yourself to feel those heavy emotions, but also give yourself the freedom you deserve to enjoy the holiday season.
Here are my tips for celebrating the holidays after divorce.
1. Take the Time to Do What You Love
Going through a divorce isn’t easy, but once you get through it, you have something wonderful at your disposal: freedom. This holiday season, remind yourself of the things you love and do them on your own time and at your own pace! Grab a friend if you want or hit the road by yourself and go see lights, watch any Christmas movie you want, or head to the mountains for a snowy day. There’s so much beauty in the world to experience, and you deserve to see it all.
Make a holiday bucket list, and make it your goal to experience every one of those things over the next few weeks.
2. Allow Yourself to Feel Your Emotions.
There are plenty of wonderful things to experience this season, but you don’t have to sugar coat every day. Allow yourself the time you need to feel what you feel. Expressing your emotions in healthy ways is important, so give yourself space to feel whatever it is you’re feeling.
3. Sharing Kids? Don’t skip the Holiday!
You may be sharing kids and trading off holidays, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the holidays when your kids aren’t around! You can choose another day to celebrate and go all out for it, but you should also find something cheery to get into the day-of.
Don’t be afraid to say yes to an invite from friends, or go out on your own and do things your way. It’s important to learn to be confident and comfortable in doing things on your own, so get out of your comfort zone and do something you love to celebrate the holiday!
4. Be Present With Your Loved Ones
Your traditions may be different than usual, but you can still celebrate the holidays with people you love and make new traditions. This holiday season, set up a feast with friends or make a surprise visit to see a family member. Showing love to the people around you is an important part of the holidays, so make time to laugh and share and be present with those you love.
It’s okay if your traditions don’t look the same this year as they have in the past; creating new traditions is a beautiful thing, too. This holiday season, give yourself permission to enjoy all of your favorite things about the holidays, and you might just find a new and wonderful way to celebrate!
Read more advice with our tips on ending the year with gratitude.
