Own Your Christmas Experience – You Don’t Have to be Lonely

Posted: December 18, 2018
By: weadmin

I wrote this article some years ago as I faced spending my very first Christmas alone. My takeaway was to find meaning and pleasure in being alone rather than slip into loneliness. I am hoping this helps someone, somewhere to reflect and embrace their own Christmas experience without feeling alone.

A Christmas Experience

Over the years, Christmas has taken on several different faces and I have learned that being alone does not amount to loneliness. I have also embraced the fact that in life there are no guarantees. Whatever the circumstances, owning my Christmas experience helped to create the atmosphere I desired. Anyone can do it!  It begins with your state of mind and desire for what is important. The key is your ability to adjust and create alternative options. This Christmas, create the experience of happiness, joy, and peace no matter where you are.

My Childhood Memories

As a child, I was always one to choose my own paths and experiences; this included my own Christmas experience. As I look back at Christmas in Jamaica, I see a time of family, friendships, love, and excitement! I remember waking up to bask in the joy of seeing carollers pass by my home early in the morning, as they walked through my neighborhood into town. Yet, I don’t recall if anyone of my siblings or my parents joined me. I just know I couldn’t wait to hear the beautiful voices of the local people as they brought sounds of joy and cheer through carolling. I also distinctly remember the Jonkonnu passing by and the excitement it brought. Oh, what a sight to behold!  The colorful costumes and dancing with musical instruments brought such a feeling, which I still cannot find the words to describe. I sometimes wonder if it was my childish mind that made it seem so big and special.

Anyway, the season’s events began on Christmas Eve, when I would pace the town buying gifts for myself and loved ones. Most times, I would do this alone with no fear of being harmed by anyone. Besides being bold, my old town use to be such a peaceful place. At the end of the night, I would find my parents or older family members for the journey home. The Christmas events back then included family dinners, house parties, and the Boxing Day Fair at the Cornwall College school grounds. Where did those days go!

My Adult Experiences

As I grew older I created my own holiday traditions. One big thing was to spend New Year’s Eve at Disney so I could enjoy the beauty and excitement from the shows and fireworks. It became such a hit that others began to join me for this annual event. Over the years, my Christmas experience morphed, out of necessity, into traveling to places where I was surrounded by family and pleasant experiences, which I orchestrated for the most part.

One year I went back to my old neighborhood to see what the experience was like. Things were vastly different than in the old days as most of the older folks had passed on and the place was surrounded by many new faces. The neighborhood culture had also changed. It was no longer safe for carollers and there was no Jonkonnu in sight. The only thing I can say is that the fireworks I heard were gunshots at the stroke of midnight to ring in the New Year. This was their fireworks! Surprisingly enough, I was not afraid.

Taking Charge of Your Circumstances

As I look back, I realize that the one thing that remains consistent, among my many challenges, is that I still choose to create my own experiences. Life could be tough and the challenges seemed overwhelming at times but that didn’t need to shape my future into a space that I didn’t desire.

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself alone this holiday, there is no need to be lonely or stressed. Take charge of your circumstances and create your own Christmas experience. Whether it be chilling out with a good movie or becoming the life of the party, be sure the experience is yours to own and you will never feel alone.  Remember, it begins with your state of mind and desire for what is important. Also, the key lies in your ability to adjust and create alternative options.