SINGLE IN THE SEASON FOR COUPLES … by Marwa Rakha
Several readers who are either single or in complicated relationships have written to me and expressed their dread towards the coming holidays! How does one survive being alone when everyone is celebrating love and feeling jolly during Christmas and the New Year? How does one escape the silliness of all these Christmas movies on Netflix? Or the belief that a miracle would happen, and “Santa” would drop Mr. Right at the door if no chimney is available? I feel you ... I was there! My “old” self, my under 40 self, would have told you to enjoy being alone, that there is a difference between alone and lonely, that your independence is worth celebrating, that being alone is better than being with the wrong person, and that you can always count on furry or feathery pets, and 38 December 2020
friends. I would have also insisted that these “celebrations” are meaningless manmade rituals that should mean nothing, and that one should not give in to self-pity. I would have gone “whoa” on you fully cowboy style and asked you to count your blessings and stop whining!
