I've actually been feeling quite happy about Christmas for once. Now that I don't expect anything from my family, I'm much happier than before when I was constantly disappointed. I've learned to find what makes me smile and ignore much of my fam's craziness.

However, it's little things that remind me of what I'm missing out on. Just now, an actor I follow on twitter tweeted about having a great night at his sister's for an early Christmas drink, and how 'family is the one'. Then in the comment section one person said 'nothing better than family get togethers', and the corners of my mouth instantly dropped down to my knees..

I'm really sad I can't have the kind of family I'd like.. We'll never be close as they can't handle emotions, are disinterested, feel threatened by my true self.. My mum asks me what I want for Christmas and when I tell her, she goes, 'Really, are you sure? Are you sure you don't want something else..' Like, WTF?!

My brother's pretty decent but I've never been that close to him either. He explains my parents' craziness away with 'hard times make us who we are' while I'm thinking I'd be much better off had those hard times been good, easy, light times..

My dad just doesn't give a toss.

I'm still going to go there on Christmas Eve because it's better than sitting on my own at home, but I find it really quite sad that the living thing I'm most (or at all) excited to see is our cat. She's wonderful, though, my best friend and it'll be lovely spending Christmas with her

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat. Maybe we can share our angst in this thread Let's sail these blue seas together

[NewCommer]

Merry Crhistmas!
Sorry to hear how do you do. As you said, you're not the only one. Besides, you're not actually alone.
Also, Tweeter is not the real life. I can also tweet how lovely my family dinner is going, but in fact, if it really is THAT cool: What the hell am i doing tweeting it?
Nothing is perfect, not even our family, and it is quite understandable that they aren't that approachable.
Remember, you can't change the world, but YOU can change YOURSELF.
I'm in a similar situation with you actually. I'm kind of the black sheep (Even if you all thing it is a cliché feeling or something XD) and sometimes it gets to me.
But as you, i have the power to overcome sadness. YOU'RE HAPPY, you just forget you are. Your cat might be a lovely companion, but if you really want to feel connected, look for people that cares about you.
I'm not saying that your family doesn't care, neither to replace them. Family is unique and can't be replaced, but give other people the chance to know you.

If it isn't personal, what do you want for christmas?
Cheer up friend, blessings and happy holidays.

[healingme4me]

Merry Christmas!

My dad's out living 3,000 miles away!

I've my kids, myself, the tree. No pomp. No circumstance. And to think, I used to feel lonely, albeit surrounded by family at gatherings.

...and Happy New Year!

Sent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk

Haha, this particular tweet actually came after this guy had gone home. But I know what you mean, some people updating their social media accounts constantly when on a night out is pretty weird.

I won't be spending Christmas completely alone but, funnily enough, what I'm most looking forward to is spending time on my own. Like healingme4me said, you can be surrounded by others and still feel lonely.. My plan is to come home early so that I can listen to the Christmas songs I like and maybe have some mulled wine and gingerbread men

I guess what I'm sad about is not having a family I'd like to spend more time with, whose company I'd actually enjoy as much as most of my friends and many others seem to enjoy theirs. But no can do, it wasn't in the cards for me.

A friend made me a drawing and my Christmas wish was to get it printed out and framed. Last year, I wished for a Springsteen CD. Both times, my mum went, 'Oh.. Do you not want something else? A winter coat, maybe?' NO. Just told you what I want..

Anyway, thanks for listening. Merry Christmas and the best of New Years to you!

I can relate! Last year was my first Christmas where I was completely alone. My kids were with their dad the entire holiday and I fell into a pretty bad depression. And even though this year I'll be spending Christmas Eve with friends and Christmas Day with my kids, I'm still feeling the blues. My dad and his wife are going to see her family this year so we're not even spending Christmas together as a family. Her family is always priority.

I hope you have friends that you can spend time with. It's difficult when we want these close families, like we see on social media and movies. But sometimes it's a bunch of hype and they're actually quite dysfunctional and have a lot of drama. So at least without family around for Christmas we can avoid that. Wishing you the best!

Originally Posted by d.o.a.

I've actually been feeling quite happy about Christmas for once. Now that I don't expect anything from my family, I'm much happier than before when I was constantly disappointed. I've learned to find what makes me smile and ignore much of my fam's craziness.

However, it's little things that remind me of what I'm missing out on. Just now, an actor I follow on twitter tweeted about having a great night at his sister's for an early Christmas drink, and how 'family is the one'. Then in the comment section one person said 'nothing better than family get togethers', and the corners of my mouth instantly dropped down to my knees..

I'm really sad I can't have the kind of family I'd like.. We'll never be close as they can't handle emotions, are disinterested, feel threatened by my true self.. My mum asks me what I want for Christmas and when I tell her, she goes, 'Really, are you sure? Are you sure you don't want something else..' Like, WTF?!

My brother's pretty decent but I've never been that close to him either. He explains my parents' craziness away with 'hard times make us who we are' while I'm thinking I'd be much better off had those hard times been good, easy, light times..

My dad just doesn't give a toss.

I'm still going to go there on Christmas Eve because it's better than sitting on my own at home, but I find it really quite sad that the living thing I'm most (or at all) excited to see is our cat. She's wonderful, though, my best friend and it'll be lovely spending Christmas with her

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat. Maybe we can share our angst in this thread Let's sail these blue seas together

[gayleggg]

I'm sorry your family doesn't measure up to your wishes. There are many people in the same boat but that doesn't make your pain any less. I'm glad you have your cat.

I'm blue about Christmas too. It will just be my husband and I on Christmas. I will miss having my daughter on Christmas Day but I'm sure I will get through it.

I hope it turns out to be a better day than you expect. ️

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[continuosly blue]

You guys made me think. ( Where is there a perfect family anyway )?

I had two families once. One was my birth family which now are not here with me for various reasons.( two brothers and two sisters )
The other was when I was married and had a wife and 2 kids. Now they are not here with me for various reasons.

So here I am totally alone. Don't even have a cat. But I'm not going to let Christmas bring me down. I'm going to be grateful for all the good holidays I've had with family('s) over the years.

I'm going to spend Christmas eve thinking about the real reason for Christmas.
It's something I need , hope.

Isn't it ironic that if you took all the people who are going to be alone for Christmas they would probably fill what ? Texas ? Plus how many other states ?

Yet I will be alone.

It's not that I can't be with people somehow , what I really want is to have the LOVE that I once shared with my families .The love I don't feel now but did at some time in the past.

BUT ! New loves await !

to all ,

[IceCreamKid]

I empathize with you. I never had a happy holiday growing up and grew to dread them because that was when my chaotic homelife got 100 times worse. I'd urge you to start making some traditions that are pleasing to you, even if you have to do them alone. I wish I had done this.