Walking in My Shoes

December brings the most dreaded question after “Are you travelling solo?”
And the question is, “What are you doing for Christmas?”
And, my dear reader, I have a confession to make.
I mostly do not answer this question truthfully.

I prefer to spend Christmas Day alone. That may be why Home Alone is one of my favourite movies this time of the year.
But the reaction I used to have when being asked was :
“Are you totally on your own?”
“Don’t you celebrate Christmas?”
“Don’t you have family or friends?”
“Do you want to come to us?”

One of my colleagues is still convinced I hate Christmas, despite my trying to convince him otherwise. But I hate the commercial aspect of it and the social pressure. No wonder so many people feel lonely this time of the year.
I choose to spend Christmas Day solo because I love it. It’s my time to relax with movies and books, not to have turkey or stay all day in my favourite pyjamas, and that’s perfectly okay.

That’s why it is much easier to make up a story about how I spend Christmas, and everyone is happy.
One lady on the cruise told me, “I wish I dared to do what you do, but I will upset many people”.

Just how often do we give in to peer pressure? Remember, it’s okay to prioritise your own happiness and authenticity over others’ expectations.
A quote by Elbert Hubbard came to mind: “Never explain — your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.”

Wishing all my readers the confidence to be bold and authentic, trusting that your choices are valid and deserving of respect.

With Love as Always,
Yana De Lilac