Did you know that suicide rates go up during the Christmas holidays? I am NOT of course suggesting that as solution, but please know many people struggle with depression around holidays and birthdays. You are not alone. Over time, as you keep working on yourself, your jerk of an ex-husband will matter less. In the meantime, is there even one person you can spend some of these special days with? It only takes two to have a party. May God bless your day.

When I'm able to spend the day with my children I'm okay, but we share custody. All my friends have their own family and I feel like I'd be intruding on their family time. On Valentine's day, all of my female friends are in relationships. I'm afraid if I asked to spend v-day with a single male friend, he might get the wrong idea.

When I was with my ex,
I came to dread holidays
and long weekends
because at those times,
he was home with
enough energy to
ramp up the standard
level of abuse.

At his job, he had
earned five full weeks
of vacation time but
typically only took the
one between Christmas
and New Years. His
choice to not be off
work for weeks at a
time was a huge relief
for me!

There are certainly
other reasons why
holidays can cause
distress. The above
was just the most
recent one for me.

Regarding Valentine's Day. . . .
how about making that a
day of fabulous self-care,
like doing anything you
want to do either on your
own or with another
single person, or making
an appointment at a
day spa or other activity
that focuses wholly and
solely on YOU.

Sending you hugs
and wishes for
better holidays ahead.