For people who have felt lonely at Christmas time in previous years, is this year easier?

Learnt to deal with it.
Kept interests up and kept busy.
Have set goals in all areas of life.
(interests,hobbies,researching family history, photography,hiking,etc)
While doing those activities one meets others as well.
Being popular was never any of my goals.

Yes, it’s easier.

Of course not. I take no joy in the unhappiness of others.

Not for the elders in my family it’s not.

They look forward to the specific times of year that all of us show up and this year none of us have showed up at all, to keep them safe. My MIL dropped off a check for Christmas in the driveway, certainly not as good as a long visit with meal and gifts. :(

@canidmajor How does your mind jump to that? The question is not about other people being unhappy.

@KNOWITALL All the people you are talking about are not usually alone during the holidays I gather. That’s not really who the Q is about, or maybe I misunderstood your answer.

@JLeslie I guess I consider a few hours of family time as lonesome. Now not much travelling plus Covid limits it even more. I have reminded them we are all isolating but they’re just sad.

@KNOWITALL The Q is about people who are usually alone on Christmas.

Alone sucks.
Period.

It’s not really easier or worse. I’m generally content to be alone.

My family is small and now scattered around the country. I am a loner anyway and won’t mind Christmas just being me and my daughter this year. In the past, when my mom was alive, Christmas would be at her house with lots of gifts, food and some drinks. It’s sad that she’s not alive now but I don’t mind staying home this year without feeling obligated or guilty about not seeing anyone.

@JLeslie: Not a jump, a small step. Essentially you said: “If you have been lonely in the past, do you feel better knowing others are lonely this year?”
“Lonely” is rarely a state of happiness.

@canidmajor I was thinking of it in terms of people sometimes compare themselves to others and it makes them feel more cheated in life. They idealize the situations of others.

I understand your point, but it wasn’t in my mind that people would be enjoying that others are miserable. I don’t know many people very distraught about not getting together for Christmas so it isn’t really in my thought process.

I’ve been alone on several holidays throughout my adult life and it’s no big deal to me, but I know some people really care.

Sometimes feeling understood, like other people are in the same situation, can be of comfort. It doesn’t mean the people are miserable just in the same boat. I don’t know anyone miserable about it. Most people I know feel like the light at the end of the tunnel is near now with the vaccines.

It turns out, it did do a bit to lift my Christmas alone. It turns out these shut downs have made some people more cognizant of people ordinarily unknown to most.
People are being more open to understanding how conditions which may seem lax, or tolerable, may have more adversity than is obvious.

I received some small bits of personal attention from various individuals which meant a great deal to me, and were new.

Side note, it goes both ways. I had to call a government service. As I spoke with the person needed, I heard squeals, and barefoot thumping in the background. She made a shout for quiet, then apologized to me. I thanked her for her assistance, and told her I had no problem with the added hurdles of working from home, and conveyed my hugs to the girls for their cooperation.
Being unable to have a job, has made me deeply understanding of unlimited hours trapped with kid in tow.

This has been insanity this year, but from adversity comes opportunity for greater understanding.

I received gifts, and personal tidings this week I’m sure come from understanding achieved thanks to this year’s insanities.
Christmas day was better than I expected.

Thanks for asking.

@Patty_Melt Thanks for writing that all out. Interesting the effects of the current situation. I’m glad there was some positive for you.

You made me think of old TV shows where spouses change places and see what it’s like to have to do the job or have the responsibilities of the other person.

You provided an angle I hadn’t thought of when I wrote the Q.

Sometimes feeling understood, like other people are in the same situation, can be of comfort. It doesn’t mean the people are miserable just in the same boat.

Thank you @JLeslie, that kind of sums it up for me. I’m pretty ok with being alone on the holidays, it’s only when I start thinking of my family that I feel sad and yes, a little sorry for myself, but I can almost always prevent that. I literally only have one relative (my sister) and she lives 900 miles away, and I have no children.

So this year I jumped at the chance to have a minor heart procedure (valvuloplasty) on the 23rd when the doctor offered it. I went home on Christmas Eve, made spaghetti, watched a couple of movies and had a good facetime with my sister. She was packing to move into a new house and also had covid, so she didn’t do anything either.

Here’s hoping 2021 brings some relief to everyone…with Dufus out of the White House, it can’t help but be better! 8^)