How to manage Christmas after divorce

Christmas.The most joyous time of year, and the most upsetting.

We all know that Christmas is not an easy time for a lot of people. After my divorce, the first two Christmasses were awful. I spent the first one crying because we were now a family of two and the second one crying because my daughter was with my ex-partner. 

It was hard. Of course it does get easier but those first couple of Christmasses can be hard.

Here are my tips to get through the festive period after a divorce or break-up.

1. Give yourself time to feel upset. If this is the first Christmas on your own you will feel sad. And that’s OK. If you feel like crying, then cry. Don’t bottle up those feelings.
2. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and remember there is no such thing as perfect. You might think that everyone else is having a jolly time but they’re not. People will be arguing, in-laws will be annoying and kids will be glued to their screens.
3. Start your own traditions. My daughter and I have our own traditions now and we look forward to them.
4. If you are child-free make the most of it. Sit in your PJ’s drinking Bailey’s and watching ‘Call the Midwife’! Have a long, hot bath with some nice bath oil that you treated yourself to.
5. Keep yourself busy. If you know that you will start to dwell on things, make sure you distract yourself. Listen to music, watch a comedy or read a book.

Have a great Christmas, however you choose to celebrate.