Spending New Year’s Eve alone can be challenging, particularly if you are working overseas as OFW. It’s a day that most individuals spend with their significant others, loved ones, or friends and is frequently characterized by joyous gatherings and parties with lots of guests.
During social holidays like New Year’s Eve, your emotional stress and physical symptoms like muscle tension and a quick heartbeat may feel more intense if you suffer from social anxiety or social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, you don’t have to suffer simply because you’re ringing in the new year in your own way.
Here are strategies to keep yourself from feeling unhappy if you’re spending New Year’s Eve alone due to distance as we are working as an OFW, being far from friends and family, or anything in between.
Reframe Negative Thoughts
Some kababayans will unavoidably think about being alone on New Year’s Eve. However, you might take use of this time to test out a cognitive behavioral therapy approach. When a bad idea enters your mind, name it, consider it, and then change it to a positive thinking.
For instance, just because you’re spending New Year’s Eve alone this year doesn’t indicate you’ll be alone the following year. And even if it could seem like you’re the only one without anyone to celebrate with, keep in mind that you’re not alone. This cognitive change can help those with social anxiety.
Reflect on the Year
A great day to reflect on oneself is the last day of the year. Being by yourself presents a special chance for open introspection that you wouldn’t have if you were among other people. Congratulate yourself on your accomplishments, no matter how big or small.
If the year hasn’t gone that well in your opinion, consider what was unfavorable and how you can improve next year. Remember that everyone has setbacks along the path to their goals. As long as you start each day with the possibility of success and continue to look forward, you’ll eventually get to where you want to be.
Make Resolutions
New Year’s Eve is a terrific time to craft resolutions. These can be about anything from general life improvements to specific concerns related to your social anxiety. Remember that it doesn’t have to be a novel of dramatic changes; a short, but realistic list of goals is actually more effective.
Plan Some Phone Calls
Have people call you or plan on calling others right before midnight so that you have someone with whom to share the countdown. You don’t have to stay on the phone for long – just ring in the New Year and then get back to your own solo celebration.
Connect on Social Media
If there isn’t anyone who you can call on New Year’s Eve, connect with others in real-time on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Watch as people around the world post New Year’s updates and ring in the New Year across different time zones.
You may find that holidays such as New Year’s Eve cause you to feel more despair than happiness. This can be a result of something known as the “broken promises effect,” in which high expectations for a holiday can cause you to feel as though things should be better than they are. Perhaps you expected this new year to bring about changes and yet, you still feel just as anxious as before.
