During the holidays there are always a lot of get-togethers with friends and family. I’ve always enjoyed these gatherings. It gives me a chance to catch up with people I don’t get to see very often, but I have to admit, this year I’ve felt a little out of place during the festivities. Everyone is there with their significant others and many of my friends and family aren’t sure how to respond to me now that I am divorced.
I never anticipated how far reaching my divorce would be. My friends and family were supportive of me and wanted to help, but most didn’t know what to say, so instead they distanced themselves to avoid an uncomfortable situation.
At times, being a single parent can be rather isolating. You already feel as if nobody understands what you are going through, but when you are ostracized from even your friends and family, it can be heartbreaking. When this happens at the holidays it can make it even harder. You have to make that much more of an effort to reach out to people. You have to remind them that you are the same person that you have always been, nothing has really changed except your marital status. Some don’t even realize that they are doing it. They just simply don’t know how to react when something like this happens.
If you are feeling a little out of place in your group of friends this year you try being the one to reach out to people. This is the time when friendships need to be nourished the most. You need the support of friends and family to help pull you through the more difficult times. It may take more effort than it used to, but in time things will come together again.