I've done it wrong, I went through the Holidays without celebrating them. What I will do this year is make sure to get back to traditions and celebrations even if it's just me and my pooch.

Some times, you just have to want to do it, otherwise, you will be going to McDonalds for that meal.

hang in there and Happy Thanksgiving.

I begged my parents to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with me the first holiday I was alone. I was mortified. I asked them in August, right after my divorce. They had already made arrangements with my brother's family - I had no one - and they wouldn't make an exception - and hadn't even thought about me in making their plans. That made it more of a black hole for me. I was a mess - I cried both days (Thanksgiving and Christmas) so I didn't go spend it with friends.

I decided to rent movies from red box and make a big meal for myself and my fur babies. I went on a walk too - its a tradition for me. I think I even had checked out some good books to keep me distracted. But I mostly watched movies. It was hard and I won't ever forget how I felt - but I made it through. Journaling helps too. And coming on here to talk.

Sending good thoughts your way. xoxo

Last year I bought a Stouffer's frozen TV dinner for myself, and a can of Fancy Feast for my cats. We all seemed to get by just fine.

This year I'm not even going to go that far. The holidays are all about family. If I can't have a family, I won't have a holiday.

Life goes on.

Happy thanksgiving to you. I'm sorry you're hurting. I wish I had advice but I'm coming up on my first holiday season without him and I'm scared.

All the time I was married, holiday dinners were something to "get through" not enjoy. I can't blame them on my husband, but on his parents and sister, and her nasty kid. They always used to come and they would spend the whole time fighting with each other. I think a holiday is what you make it not how many people you have eating with you. The holidays are so overblown by everybody that wants to sell more stuff-that includes food. I think the commercialization of Thanksgiving and Christmas is totally disgusting. Along about November, I am already tired of hearing about all the stuff I should buy for Christmas. I get really sick of it all

At first I was dreading spending Thanksgiving alone this year, since it was always a special holiday for my ex and me; he would bake cookies and we would watch the parade on TV, and he would make us a special dinner. It was always such a relaxed and cozy day just for us, since both our families live in other states.

However, since then I've come to some peace with spending this Thanksgiving alone. I will probably just make myself a special vegan dinner (Tofurky!) and have a quiet day at home with my kitty. Maybe call my family, who I always miss on Thanksgiving, as they live far away. Create my own new traditions :-)

I'm sorry your Canadian Thanksgiving was difficult, Blixxa. Seems like your dream was a reminder of what it was like with your ex, and maybe a reminder that you're better off on your own. Here's to better holidays ahead :-)

i know how you feel. it is scary to think about the holidays without my ex and especially at a time when people are so happy and joyous. i was reminded today about putting up my tree with all my ornaments and it gave me a sad moment. i think i will still put it up anyway and do my best to struggle through the holidays and be as positive as i can and find happiness in small things. i like everyone elses posts and this is a great topic that many of us are going through.

ChitownBear offers some great advice. Holidays are to be celebrated. I would use this day of thanks to remind yourself of what you should be thankful for. Be thankful you have choices again. Be thankful your not in this lost relationship you were in last year. Be thankful that you have time to just focus on you. And be thankful the future is wide open to do whatever you want. People will come and go in your life blixxa. We can't control that. All we control is ourselves. I believe everything happens for a reason. I think this down time in dating is a reminder for you to work on learning how to be content with just you. And honestly that is the trick to a good relationship anyway. If your not happy inside, no one can do it for you. That's something you need to go find.

And don't look at people around you like their warm and fuzzy in their holiday beds, while your single and alone freezing outside. That's not true. There are scores of people who would LOVE to be out of the hassle of their broken relationship and free to make choices like you. Appearances are deceptive. So use this time to focus on you and don't waste it looking around making assumptions of what you think everyone else is feeling. I wish you all the best. Happy Thanksgiving. You have alot to be thankful for.