For most people, the holiday season is a time for festivities and merriment.
It’s a time for carolling around the Christmas tree and indulging in eggnog. A time for catching up with loved ones, showering them with gifts and feasting on a grand turkey dinner together.
For many, the holiday season is a time for celebration, however this is not the case for everyone.
For various reasons, some people find the festive season excruciatingly difficult. It could be because their loved one has passed away and this time of year is an acute reminder that they are now alone.
Perhaps it could be because they have had a falling out with their family. It could be because their loved ones have become sick. Maybe they have relocated to a new city and have not connected with anyone new yet. Or it could be that their children have left the nest.
Whatever the reason, the Christmas and New Year period can be a lonely time for many people.
It doesn’t need to be this way
Regardless of your reasons for being alone, whether it be grief or relocation, please know that you don’t need to be alone or lonely this holiday season, especially if you don’t want to or didn’t expect to be.
I know first hand, as most people do, that grief and loss are not emotions you can simply ‘get over’ or ‘switch off’. And while time and patience may help in reducing the severity of these feelings, the loss of a loved one will always be profoundly felt.
Having said that, you can do something to help the healing process and combat loneliness this holiday season. That thing is to start accepting invitations for social gatherings; to start saying yes after so long of your default being thanks but no thanks.
Start with just one social engagement and see how you feel about it. Then start embracing life more fully: get out of the house, reconnect with old friends, meet new people, get active and participate in activities that bring you joy.
What Stitch members are doing
Every person in the Stitch community has their own unique life story. Some have overcome hardships, some are going through a divorce, and some have lost children.
What’s inspiring is that these people who have experienced hardship and loss are organizing and hosting events this festive season to not only ensure their own lives continue to be rich and full, but that other people’s lives are too.
Below you’ll see some of the Stitch activities that are coming up. If you see an activity or event in your city, do come along! Being with company is always better than being on your own — particularly when you’re in the company of Stitch members who are the next best thing to family.
If you don’t live in an area with scheduled activities, why don’t you suggest something yourself?
All it takes is one person to make a suggestion and others will most likely follow. Remember, you’re not just doing it for yourself, you’re doing it so that you can give the gift of companionship and friendship to other members too this holiday season.
We hope the below upcoming activities inspire you to come along, or create your own events. And don’t forget, a Stitch activity can be as big or as small as you want, it’s really up to you!
Quiz Trivia Night
Where: Central Coast, NSW, Australia
When: 19 December
Organized by: Les
People attending: 3
Holiday Luncheon
Where: Pasadena, California, USA
When: 20 December
Organized by: Jan
People attending: 8
Bay Area Small Group Holiday Dinner & Karaoke
Where: Daley City, California, USA
When: 20 December
Organized by: Helen
People attending: 5
Tango Lesson and Dance Party
Where: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
When: 22 December
Organized by: Lisa
People attending: 3
Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour
Where: Sydney, NSW, Australia
When: 26 December
Organized by: Jan
People attending: 12
New Year’s Eve Party
Where: Werribee, Victoria, Australia
When: 31 December
Organized by: Virginia
People attending: 5
Visit the Exploratorium at night
Where: San Francisco, California, USA
When: 3 January
Organized by: Les
People attending: 10
Log into Stitch for a full list of activities and events in your area. The above is only a small sample from around the world.
Great where there is a thriving community but irrelevant when you live in a small town in Hertfordshire and no, both Oxford and Reading are not within easy reach.
You’re right Angela. It’s a lot harder to build a community and organise events in smaller towns, so we definitely understand where you’re coming from.
Can we ask where in Hertfordshire you are located?
I live in Tring. Nearby town are Berkhampsted and Chesham and, of course, central London.
I do.not live anywhere near the areas mentioned
I live in extreme northern ca.
Any ideas for Mendocino county?
For
Widows, or older individuals
Up this way?
Hi Kat,
Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately our closest Stitch community to Mendocino County is in Sacramento. Having said that, as everything on Stitch is member-driven, you are more than welcome to create your own group for your local area. We’d be more than happy to help you set it up if you’d like to do that! Just let us know.
It’s there a community in northwest Arkansas?
Hi Sharron,
Thank you for your question. Currently in Arkansas we have a ‘Stitchers of Arkansas’ group that everyone in Arkansas can join. We also have the ‘Little Rock Stitch Group’ for people who live in or visit Little Rock. These groups are a wonderful way to meet and chat with people in your state and local community.
Can I ask where in Northwest Arkansas you are from? At Stitch, we can help you create your own group in your local community if that’s of interest to you. Please let us know if you’re interested!
Stitch is still new in Arkansas so we don’t have many members there as yet. Having said that, we’ll be focusing a lot more on growing our communities across Arkansas and the US in 2019, so stay tuned for a lot more members!
I need responsible woman that can be my Queen.. Am tired of been alone