If you’re an expat , spending Christmas outside of your home country can be a difficult time. Everywhere you look there seem to be families spending time together. People ask you if you’re going home for the holidays, even if home is very far away. But the prospect of spending Christmas abroad doesn’t have to be a bad one, so don’t get the holiday blues just yet!
Try not to focus on the negative aspects of being alone
The feeling of loneliness is awful and is linked to depression. Scary right!? Don’t let this feeling overwhelm you, do not dwell in that. It is very hard but you have to focus on more positive things. Where attention goes, energy flows, specifically when you focus on the negative side of life. It is way better to focus on things that fuel you. Things that have a way of energizing you.
Meet other expats
You’re not the only one. There’s always another expat or two around who feels exactly the same as you. Reach out on local expat forums and meet up. Before during and after the holidays. Together look for fun activities, go to the cinema, go for a drink. Make a schedule so you don’t have to be alone for too long over the holidays.
See if you can get invited to someone else’s holiday celebrations
Christmas here is a big thing, among family members and close friends. But don’t expect the Dutch to dress up and invite you. Although the Dutch like to come across as very open, when it comes to holidays like Christmas, they are very particular about who to invite over the holidays.
What can you do?
- Relax. Focus on yourself, have a treat you wouldn’t allow for yourself at home.
- Use Skype, Facetime, Whatsapp & Facebook Messenger to see family back home. Great tip -> Prepare the same meal as they are eating and join in via on of the mediums. We are so lucky to live in a global society, where we can be in touch with friends and family around the world quickly and easily.
If you met other expats on a local Expat forum, make sure to schedule a meeting over the holidays, even if it is for a drink.
Embrace and create new traditions
It might help you, to not miss Christmas at home so much if you’re spending it in a different way. You might never have the opportunity to spend Christmas where you are again, so find out what some of the local traditions are and see if you can participate. Visit local Christmas markets. Try new foods. Visit a cinema or book a show. Or book a weekend away to a new part of the country you are staying in and go and explore. Step out of you comfort zone, as an expat that is what you are already doing, but push yourself a little bit further.
Loneliness can be beaten and you are able to move past it. Just come up with a game plan, relax and enjoy.
Also read Expat Loneliness
