I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately, especially since my grandmother's funeral last month. The times when it's most difficult to be a single person. Many people claim that holidays like Christmas are the most difficult to be single, but I disagree. Christmas, for my family at least, is when everyone is together and we're celebrating time together. We go to visit other family members around town. I typically spend a week or so at home and don't mind the downtime that I don't have to fill with entertaining someone else and finding things for us to do in a small town. Sounds weird, but Christmas isn't my most difficult holiday as a single person.
The most difficult are all of the other days of the year when people have family celebrations. Most of those days friends don't think to invite you over to enjoy dinner or a group event that involves friends. Days like Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day. In my experience, Thanksgiving and Easter are days when I have to decide which friends I'm going to spend time with. But these other days, I'm always searching for things to do and people to be with. I think that couples don't think about their single friends and what we'll do.
This is why I'm considering flying to Chicago for the 4th of July. No one here is going to be in town, so it's almost a waste of a three day weekend to spend at home alone doing nothing. I'm thinking that spending the time with another friend would be a better use of my time and emotional energy.
It's always hard to make a decision like this because it seems so impulsive and can be costly financially. But someone once told me a few years ago when I was making a decision to fly to Denver to see a friend who I hadn't seen in over 5 years. She said, "if you have the money and the time off, why not go?" Basically what are you saving the money for? Why not travel while you can and enjoy the time with friends?!
I think as I get older and make decisions based on more than money - on happiness, I become a better person. So I'm purchasing a flight to visit a friend and enjoy the 4th of July together! Chicago, HERE I COME! See you in less than a month!
The most difficult are all of the other days of the year when people have family celebrations. Most of those days friends don't think to invite you over to enjoy dinner or a group event that involves friends. Days like Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day. In my experience, Thanksgiving and Easter are days when I have to decide which friends I'm going to spend time with. But these other days, I'm always searching for things to do and people to be with. I think that couples don't think about their single friends and what we'll do.
This is why I'm considering flying to Chicago for the 4th of July. No one here is going to be in town, so it's almost a waste of a three day weekend to spend at home alone doing nothing. I'm thinking that spending the time with another friend would be a better use of my time and emotional energy.
It's always hard to make a decision like this because it seems so impulsive and can be costly financially. But someone once told me a few years ago when I was making a decision to fly to Denver to see a friend who I hadn't seen in over 5 years. She said, "if you have the money and the time off, why not go?" Basically what are you saving the money for? Why not travel while you can and enjoy the time with friends?!
I think as I get older and make decisions based on more than money - on happiness, I become a better person. So I'm purchasing a flight to visit a friend and enjoy the 4th of July together! Chicago, HERE I COME! See you in less than a month!
Sounds like a wonderful adventure, Katie. Kudos to you for seizing the opportunity!
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