How to cope with missing someone this holiday season

Even though missing someone and coming to terms with the death or absence of someone is two distinct emotions, the solutions to getting through this trying period are pretty similar. I am in a long-distance relationship, and during the upcoming holiday season, I am still determining if I will get to see my partner because of my work and time off request. It will be our first Christmas together, as well as our milestone anniversary, which is disheartening; however, as someone who has to constantly be okay with not celebrating significant holidays or milestones with my partner, I have come up with different activities and solutions to help distract myself from the fact that we are not together.

Additionally, many of my coworkers at one of my jobs are immigrants who have left their families behind in their home country and are alone. This is something that some of you may relate to as you are reading this because you are an international student or a student of immigrant parents. Being away from someone can be difficult, but there are multiple ways to distract yourself during the holiday season and focus on the positives.

Hopefully, my tips and solutions can help you even a little and provide a bit of support or act as a virtual hug knowing you're not alone during this time.

Connect with others 

The observance of holiday traditions is a significant part of what makes this time of year so special. Possibly it is having a friend or family member retell that tale to you for the third time, or perhaps it is going back for seconds on a dessert that is become famous in your household. It will be easier to cope with the void left by the absence of your loved one if you maintain connections with and surround yourself with individuals in your life at the current moment. You will direct your attention to the positive aspects of the situation, such as positive feelings and energy.

Appreciating the people and companions who are still a part of your life and spending time with them may be an effective way to make up for the absence of loved ones who are no longer in it or not present at that moment. However, it can be challenging to make up for the absence of those no longer in it. Getting close to others might provide you with the comfort and intimacy you need. If you cannot do so, pick up the phone, make a call using facetime, skype, or zoom, or do everything you can to hear the other person's voice.

Ontario Tech also has excellent opportunities to seek help that you need

Open when you need support

Give back to the Community 

If you are separated from your loved ones, look locally to feel connected to others and spread cheer. Donating or volunteering is a great way to give back to the Community! I wrote an article on Ways to give back this holiday season that you may want to check out for inspiration! 

Try new recipes

The articles below are just the tip of the iceberg on getting started with recipes; the world is yours to adventure out and tries new recipes from different cultures and cuisines. These articles can provide a starting step in trying new foods. Food is the way to the heart, and maybe you'll find a recipe you like to make for your friends and family to try.

Three healthy, easy, and tasty recipes

Bake with Amanpreet: Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Healthy recipes to make during exam season 

Just because the title says healthy recipes to make during exam season does not mean that you can not make them at any other time. You never know when you might fall in love with one of the recipes, they might become your next go-to meal, or even by trying new recipes out; this will help you in the long run when exams do come up next time, and you do not have time or know how to make a healthy meal!

My Favourite Pasta Recipe

A guide to Middle Eastern Cuisine

If you see anything you like, which I am sure you will because everything looks delicious, you can try out new food from a different cuisine.

Holiday Baking

Our Favourite Holiday Recipes

Hunter's blue and orange bliss cake

Pick up a new hobby

This Christmas season, pick up a new pastime. TikTok, Pinterest, Youtube, and even Instagram clips are all fantastic suggestions for activities you might do, and they all offer straightforward instructions. The list of examples is vast and includes baking, cooking, knitting, upcycling (creating new items from old clothing), sewing, and crocheting. Who knows, you could discover something you enjoy or are skilled at!

Watch Netflix

Relive your Childhood with Nostalgic tv shows from the early 2000s and Nostalgic tv shows from the early 2000's pt 2. Television programs from my youth have started appearing on my For You Page on Tik Tok, and I feel very nostalgic. One of these shows is Timothy Goes to School, which brought back many happy memories of my youth. Therefore, I recommend revisiting old television programs you loved as a child.

More Recommendations:

Netflix series recommendations for the psychological thriller lover

Top five Christmas movies to stream this holiday season

A beginner's guide to the world of anime - I love anime, and for the last few Christmas breaks, I have binged and watched different anime or started; last Christmas was Hunter x Hunter; this year, I will try out some of the recommended ones!

Must see Bollywood movies on Netflix -  I love many movies on this list, and I will be re-watching most of them this holiday season as they are just comforting! 

Curl up with a good book 

Nothing beats self-care, and you may divert your attention from your problems by immersing yourself in a fantasy or magical world. This will allow you to escape reality and live a different person's life temporarily. Some of my favourites by the well-known author, Colleen Hoover are:

• It Ends With Us
• Verity
• Regretting You
• Maybe Someday
• Ugly Love
• Confess
• Without Merit
• Reminders of Him

There are four volumes in the twisted love series, which is also excellent.

Fun Activities 

I will be making an effort to get out more over the holiday season, and I will try to learn how to ice skate, especially since there is a rink not far from where I live. I can not wait to go ice skating with my friends so we can all laugh and be silly since none of us know how to do it, and I think this will be an excellent opportunity to get out and distract myself and think about the good things in life. Additional examples of wintertime activities are shown below.

• Fun activities to do in the winter

• Indoor hobbies from least to most expensive

• A very comprehensive list of things to look forward to during the winter break

Clean, Clean, Clean

Nothing beats winter cleaning around the holidays since you can prepare your home for the new year, perhaps invite friends over, or even do it to do it! Cleaning and decluttering your environment can let you relive past experiences, such as putting on clothing that does not fit, etc., and the memories that have been connected. Additionally, getting rid of old garbage may be beneficial as a way to help you divert your attention. A messy and untidy place can be overwhelming, especially when you are missing someone or grieving, cleaning out your space and decluttering will help you get started in a positive frame of mind. I know it cannot be easy to keep a place tidy, so whenever you feel motivated to clean, you should take advantage of the opportunity.

Self Care

The most important thing you can do now, whether missing or grieving, is to focus on yourself. It is essential to look after your physical and emotional health. The articles listed below discuss the significance of asking for assistance when necessary. Talking to someone about your feelings is always beneficial because holding your emotions within is never a good idea. Additionally, practising gratitude and meditation is another excellent way to focus on yourself and practice good self-care since you need to transform your mindset from negativity to positivity to practice good self-care. If you focus on the negatives, such as someone leaving you, you can fail to consider the positives, such as the people you do have in your life right now. If they are happy and healthy, that is what matters most. Check out our Wellness section for some great articles to get you started on your self-care journey.

Generally speaking, I am sorry you are going through this challenging moment in your life, and I hope things get better soon! I hope you may benefit from my writing and the techniques I employ.

via GIPHY