It’s beginning to look a lot like chilly weather, and Christmas, and football, and gift giving, and gift getting, and party season, and snuggle time and all that good stuff. With that said, this “most wonderful time of the year” is often not so for the single sister. (Think of the jolly ol’ jingle, “What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas” and you’ll get my drift.)

I did some unofficial scientific research for this blog post with some amazing women who have been married and are now single, or have been married, were single and are now married, or have never been married at all to see how they survive. The answers will amaze you, inspire you, tickle you and teach you a thing or two about the tenacity of a woman committed to keep her sanity and “specialness” during a season that can cause you to want to lose both, possibly at the same time.

So, aside from the obvious of staying away from anyone or anything which brings out the worst in you what practical, sage advice did they share? Take a gander.

• Be the first to admit when this is an area of challenge for you and you really don’t know what to do.
• Get an accountability friend who you can keep it real with, but who can also keep you in check.
• Find healthy ways to keep yourself occupied that truly satisfy you.
• Discover what it is that you like to do and invest in yourself.
• Reinvent yourself for the better during your time of isolation.
• Spend time with friends and family who encourage your happiness, not the ones who accentuate your loneliness.
• Since many get lazier in winter months and want to cuddle more make sure you plan more activities and outings to keep you active and free from areas of temptation.
• Take trips, especially since prices are often lower in the fall and winter.
• Admit if you’re feeling sad or lonely so that you can address it and deal with it properly.
• Appreciate the beauty of now.
• Volunteer.
• Help others who don’t have the luxury of being single and might need a babysitter.
• Form a sister circle with other women who can use and offer some support, fellowship and fun.
• Surround yourself with things which lift you spiritually and don’t necessarily speak to satisfying the human, hormonal parts of you.
• Be careful of the television shows and movies you watch. Suspense and horror fare much better than love and romance.
• Start a new hobby.
• Date yourself.
• Get involved in your church, small group, neighborhood or school association.
• Pray for yourself and have others pray for you.
• And whatever you do, just say no to Luther Vandross until those smooth vocals don’t stir up something that needs to simmer down.

@AngelaMMoore316