Beating Holiday Loneliness in Recovery
The holidays used to be my excuse. Every party, every toast, every “just one more” felt like permission to drink. Now, in recovery, the season feels different. The lights go up, the music plays, and I feel the quiet more than the celebration. Loneliness creeps in when I see families gathered or friends posting pictures of crowded tables.
But I’ve learned that the answer to loneliness is in resisting the urge to hide away. Recovery taught me to name what I’m feeling instead of numbing it. When the ache of missing connection hits, I reach for small, practical tools: I go to a meeting where I’m reminded I’m never really alone now that I’ve chosen recovery. I call someone from my support network, even if it’s just to say hello. I volunteer at a local food drive, because giving my time reminds me I’m part of something bigger. I set up a simple routine, morning walks, journaling, and a nightly gratitude list, that keeps me grounded when the days blur together. I keep in mind that scrolling on my phone is almost always more isolating than getting out to a gym, coffee shop or library.
Most importantly, I remind myself that recovery isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about facing the hard moments with honesty and choosing healthier responses. The holidays may never look the way they used to, but they don’t have to feel empty. Each time I show up for myself, I’m building a new tradition – one rooted in resilience, not regret.
