Unfortunately, as we grow up, we occasionally grow apart from our families. Whether this was your choice or a matter of circumstance, when the holidays come, you may be left to celebrate them on your own.
As I write this, I am wrapped in a blanket on the couch of my cold, empty house. There is no cooking smells making me hungry for food I can’t have yet, there isn’t the chatter of multiple conversations, and I don’t have to share my room with my cousin. Instead, my cat is lying on my arm making it difficult to type as I catch up on Scandal.
As anyone over the age of 18 will tell you, growing up sucks. But we often only think about it in terms of paying taxes and having to cook yourself dinner. We don’t consider that growing up may also mean sacrificing your family traditions in order to work a few extra days or that you can’t afford the plane ticket to head home. As much as you wish you were five again and being pampered by your relatives rather than worrying about your responsibilities, this transition is a good thing.
This transition means you can take care of yourself, and that you don’t need to rely on the support of your mom or dad to make life decisions. You may miss your nana’s baking, but you’re becoming an independent adult. And in a few (way too short) years, you’ll be organizing your own family holidays and building new traditions with whomever you choose to be in your life, and you don’t have to include your Great Aunt Helena who pinches your cheeks.
Now, so you don’t have to contemplate your impending adulthood any longer, here’s a list of good things about being home alone:
1. You don’t have to wear the ugly, scratchy sweater you got last year.
2. You can dance around the house in your underwear… while playing inappropriate music that no one is around to yell at you for.
3. Don’t like green beans? No green beans.
4. No one is hassling you about why you’re still single.
5. No, “Put a jacket on – it’s cold out.”
6. You don’t have to pretend to like any presents that you actually hate.
7. Or pretend to read the card and ignore the check.
8. You can catch up on your sleep without anyone complaining that you’re not spending enough time with them.
See? Being alone definitely has its perks too – be sure to make the most of it!
Happy Holidays, collegiettes!
HCXO,
Her Campus Penn State
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