Tis the season… cuffing season. Even if you don’t know what this is, you know what it means. Cuffing season refers to the all-too-familiar phenomenon of friends and basically everyone else you may know coupling off in reality TV fashion. And while you may be feeling like this:
You really don’t need to panic. Sure, feel just a little bit jealous for your friends who are anticipating a holiday season filled with fireside cuddling and arm-linked ice-skating.
Not all of us were that lucky. For those of us facing the holiday season alone, it may seem like the only thing to do is to make yourself hot chocolate, put on Love Actually, sink into the couch and resign yourself to your fate.
I know, it’s easy to be deterred by the thought of dateless holiday parties, or no New Year’s Eve kiss… gasp!
But you don’t have to worry. Here are three no-fail tips to surviving cuffing season, flying solo.
1. Avoid odd-wheeling.
Easier said than done, right? Wrong! When all of your friends are partnering off left and right, you may easily find yourselves in third, fifth, or even seventh-wheeling situations, all too frequently. It happens. So how do you avoid it? Well, first off, don’t go see a Christmas movie with six of your friends who are all dating one another. Avoid situations in which you are the blatant odd-wheel. This may seem obvious. But sometimes, group dates thinly disguised as group hangouts can end up making you feel more isolated than if you were at home alone waching Christmas movies on TV. I’m not saying you should become a recluse. What I am saying is that there is no reason to martyr yourself. You’ll thank yourself from taking a little breather from all the gushiness going on around you. Cut yourself some slack!
2. Invest in some retail therapy.
Someone had to say it! While you’re cutting yourself some slack, take a daytrip out to the mall. Since it is the holiday season, retail therapy can easily take the form of a gift-shopping spree (which you’ve been needing to do anyway). Or, you can go splurge on a cute party outfit. Luck favors the prepared, after all. You may be single, but you’re still fabulous.
3. Get out and do!
I know it sounds like I’m contradicting myself here, but I’m not. Just because you don’t have a designated date does not mean you shouldn’t be out getting your taste of holiday cheer.
The key is to find the right people to surround yourself with. Spend more time with your family, who have undoubtedly been missing you over the course of your busy semester. Or, seek out other non-cuffers who, like you, want to engage in the festivities regardless of their relationship status. As you should.
Remember, the holidays are a magical time with something surprising in store for everyone.