Holiday Advice to the Lonely

Support and Solace for Isolated Hearts

Photo by Oriol Portell on Unsplash

‘Tis The Season For Mandatory Togetherness

Christmas and other December holidays can be hell for people who have trouble connecting and belonging. Togetherness porn is everywhere, and, like the other kind of porn, proportions and intensity can be wildly exaggerated. If you find yourself helplessly addicted to the illusionary holiday closeness created by togetherness smut—for heaven’s sake—put down the remote and step away from the Hallmark Channel.

Even the holiday ads imply that forming deep connections with others requires giving the perfect gift, making it seem like true belonging depends on these gestures. This is the exploitation of our innate desire to belong, cleverly used as a marketing strategy.

I know. So far, this post has had a pretty negative take on the yearly festivities.

Is that because I’m a Christmas-hating Scrooge?

Hardly.

Let me set the record straight. I’m a “reason for the season” kind of guy who seeks spiritual meaning in celebrating…