The apple dropping in Times Square, the New Year's resolutions, the feeling of the chilly breeze, and seeing couples walk hand in hand can just about make any single person feel anxious about her or his relationship status. The holiday season in general can be triggersome, but somehow the new year can serve as a reminder that one is indeed single. Remembering a few of these tips can help you stay afloat and deal with any anxiety about being single during New Year’s Day.
Be content with being you. Learn to love yourself, and be your biggest cheerleader. Contrary to popular belief, your self worth is not defined by whether or not you are in a relationship. Your self worth is in fact determined by you and only you. You are a whole person and deserve happiness whether or not you are actively in a relationship. Society may not help in the realization of this, but one of the easiest ways to love yourself is to do more of what you enjoy doing. Taking up one of your favorite hobbies, going out to lunch by yourself (yes, that's right!), and taking a long drive while playing your favorite music are all ways for you to enjoy being alone, and not sink into any anxious feelings of being "incomplete."
Put things into perspective. Being single at the start of the new year doesn't necessarily mean that you will be single at the end too, does it? Try to remember the positives of being single, that you may miss out on when you are actually in a relationship. Stay in the present and associate with other single individuals who can relate to your situation and be a support for you during this time.
Have faith. Whether or not you believe in a higher power doesn't have to influence the simple act of having faith. Keep in mind the hope that there is someone out there for you, on this earth of six billion people, and you will find her or him when the time is right. Remember how our earlier statement of being single on New Year's doesn't mean you will be single forever, and that in itself is a positive statement to try to keep yourself going.
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness exercises are extremely powerful in allowing you to experience the moment. Meditation, grounding, body scanning, and so many more options are out there for you to engage in so as to help yourself stay rooted in the present. Going on nature walks, taking note of the smell of your morning coffee, and observing the moon on a starlit night are other ways you can include mindfulness into your routine.
Remember that our therapists at Niyyah Counseling are always here for you to help walk you through any anxious feelings that you're having. Relationships are an inherent part of life, and essential to human development, and the absence of them can definitely be stressful. Reach out to us with the click of a button, and we will walk you through these anxious thoughts you are experiencing.