The holiday season often brings mixed emotions, especially for those spending it alone. Can I be honest? For me, I am healing from struggling with mental wellness and holidays can be the worst. I can barely find the strength to even send a greeting sometimes so I retreat internally. However, after binding myself to the word and reflecting on the gift of Jesus coming to us it provides immense comfort and allows me to be open. As a musician, one of the many ways I experience the holidays are through melodies and activities that influence my sense of wellness. In this post, I want to share several meaningful ways I discover solace and joy during my solo holidays, inspired by the one who came for all.
1. Embrace Solitude as Sacred Space with The Lord
Being alone during the holidays can lead to feelings of loneliness. But I’ve come to cherish solitude as a sacred space—a chance to connect deeply with the Lord and myself.
When I worship in my secret place, I feel a sense of connection to the one who loves me the most. This practice leads me to meditate in the word and pray, allowing me to transform my solo holiday into a journey filled with strength and peace.
2. Create a Playlist of Comfort
Music holds immense power for me. During the holiday season, I create a special playlist that embodies themes of peace and gratitude.
For instance, I include songs like "Oceans" by Hillsong United and "What a Beautiful Name" by Hillsong Worship, which remind me of love and comfort and these songs can also make up your set list for worship if you are a leader. This will extend comfort to others. Each track acts as a reminder of the blessings I have. While listening, I often feel surrounded by God’s presence, which significantly enhances my holiday experience.
3. Engage in Creative Expression
Creative expression is vital to my mental wellness as a musician.
During the holidays, I write songs and blog my thoughts and feelings. For example, capturing my experience of being alone through lyrics allows me to process my emotions while connecting with the essence of Jesus’s gift or doing a blog like this one. This creativity can be a powerful act of release, providing clarity and a sense of purpose in my solitude.
4. Practice Gratitude Daily
I've embraced a daily gratitude practice, especially during the holiday season.
Each morning, I jot down three things I'm thankful for, such as the warmth of the sun, the sound of laughter nearby, or the quiet moments I enjoy. This simple exercise highlights that even in solitude, I have a great deal to appreciate—reminded of Jesus’s generosity.
5. Find Communities in Unexpected Places
Being single does not mean being alone. This year I found vibrant communities in unexpected places. Like for every morning leading up to Christmas, I go live on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmarshajnew and share an encouraging word for 30 minutes to anyone who will tune in. I was encouraged to do this by my spiritual mentor Pastor Akeim Brown https://www.youtube.com/@akeimbrownministries but I had no idea if this would work, surprisingly at 5 am I had up to 400 people tuning in at one point (and not the people I know, strangers, a very new audience) and they are quite chatty, lol.
Whether I join a church service or connect with fellow musicians or my community, I discover warmth within shared experiences. For example, being booked to speak or sing and collaborating with other artists on holiday performances can create joyful connections, allowing me to celebrate Jesus's gift with others.
Embracing Family
The idea of family has always been my source of comfort and peace but honestly family can be complicated and chaotic. This holiday season, I made it a priority to create meaningful moments to connect—even with the stubborn ones (lol).
This year was extra special as we slowed down our busy schedules, and made time for each other. We had our first family photo shoot in 40 years (wow!), continued our tradition of an extended family dinner, and shared heartfelt moments of prayer and reflection. We laughed, bonded, and soaked in the joy of simply being together.
In those moments, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace, love, and calm. These experiences are a beautiful reminder that, no matter what, we are never truly alone. ❤️🎄✨
Finding Joy in the Season
Holidays can present unique challenges, especially for those of us celebrating alone. Yet, through the gift of Jesus, I have found comfort and peace that nourishes my spirit.
By embracing solitude, creating meaningful music, expressing gratitude, finding community, setting intentions, and connecting with nature, I have transformed what could be a lonely holiday into a season filled with personal growth and wellness.
As we move further into this holiday season, I encourage you to explore how Jesus’s gift can offer you comfort and joy. Whether through music, creativity, or nature, remember that even in your solitude, you are not alone on this journey—we are all in this together.
Be Well Even As Your Soul Is Well.
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