Are you the only single person in your family or group of friends? I can speak from personal experience, and it can be miserable! Especially in the festive season. It feels like the entire world is made up of loving couples… and then there’s you. The odd one out.
So… How do you go about having a good time without constantly feeling like the odd one out? As I mentioned, I have been there, so I have done the very first-hand research, made the mistakes on your behalf and figured out the pitfalls. Well, someone had to do it!
There are many choices on the buffet of singlehood. Here’s what I discovered:
TRY A BRAND-NEW HOBBY:
Many of those self-help manuals dedicate chapters to this. Hey, there are entire self- help books focusing on nothing else! Join a hiking club, they say, learn archery, take up yoga. Those are all great ideas, except if your fitness level is that of a week-old potato, your aim is seriously faulty, and your flexibility makes Lion’s Head look super- flexible. I’m not as negative as I sound – this can actually work.
WHY?
Getting to meet a group of brand-new people really isn’t a bad thing. My advice is to pick things you are actually interested in, not the ones where you think eligible dating options might hang out. I have discovered really interesting people in very surprising
places. Keep your mind open, be available to meet new friends, not just romantic partners. Relax and enjoy!
WHY NOT?
It might be a tiny bit late in the year to go hunting for people to spend the festive season with. Be careful, weirdos and predators hang out in unexpected places. Take your time before giving out your phone number and other personal details. If it’s not for you – the activity or the group – move on, don’t waste time.
JOIN A SINGLES CLUB:
This is not the same as online dating – it’s a whole different ballgame! There are dinner clubs, dancing clubs, picnic clubs and many more. Most of them arrange get- togethers on important holiday dates, which is very useful. Just Google it!
WHY?
This is great fun! It is generally a safe environment and a great way to meet a person, rather than a photograph. What is important is to make sure the organisers are reputable and not scam artists. It’s also useful to make sure that the ratio is equal – you don’t want to be hanging out with a group of women if you’re looking for a man, do you? Hold on, did I just contradict myself? Let me correct that: I haven’t yet met my Prince Charming at one of these, but I have made lasting friendships, so go for it!
WHY NOT?
I had to think to come up with a con here… Be responsible and keep yourself safe. Don’t accept private invitations until you’ve done a few background checks.
HANG OUT WITH THE FAMILY:
When I asked upfront whether you are the only single person in your family, you probably only considered the people in your age bracket, right? What about the rest? Chances are that some older folk are also on their own over the season. Reaching out to them and really being interested can be very rewarding.
WHY?
When I gave this option a go, it was a deeply satisfying experience. When we are younger, we tend to forget that nobody was born middle-aged or old. No, really! The stories of some of my aunties’ youthful escapades were illuminating and some were frankly scandalous. This option not only satisfied my curiosity, but made my neglected family members feel appreciated – good vibes all round!
Ps: One NYE, my friend and I had a lovey evening with our elderly complex caretaker, so it doesn’t have to be family.
WHY NOT?
If you don’t like a family member and they don’t like you, why would you do it?
SIMPLIFY:
Over the last few years, my best friend and I have given up on all the hype and spent New Year’s Eve together. I think there’s enormous pressure in the world to have “the best party ever” on the last night of the year, which creates a – sometimes unreachable – expectation. That makes it very easy to be disappointed! Some years, we jump around, sing and dance. In other years, we get into deep and meaningful conversations, solve the world’s problems and visualise our desires for the next year. Some years, we’ve binge-watched a series and didn’t even make it to midnight!
WHY?
You can do whatever you feel like – no pressure! (Literally) WHY NOT?
I can’t answer this one.
My conclusion is that you need to stay positive, expect wonderful things, and be open to surprises. Everything got more fun when I thought more about what someone else might need and less about what I didn’t have. On that deep note, stay responsible and stay safe. If you are socialising where alcohol is involved, take 2 MYRKL* tablets two hours before the gathering. Tomorrow morning will not be miserable!
Important Notes:
*MYRKL is a supplement designed to support well-being while consuming alcohol and promote responsible alcohol consumption. It efficiently slows down the absorption of alcohol, allowing you to enjoy your social experiences regret-free. Do not take more than the recommended dose of 2 capsules in 24 hours.
