How To Survive 'Matching Pajama' Season

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we can look forward to the hot cocoa, pumpkin spice, sweater weather, family gatherings, holiday food traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation, festive decorations, and so much more. While many are super excited and in the holiday spirit, there are others who, while they are looking forward to the joy this season brings, are feeling a little down in the dumps. 

I think we can all agree that while there is nothing wrong with being single, wanting companionship or love is absolutely normal. Getting in your feelings about being single is not strange and you shouldn’t feel bad for wanting to be in a loving relationship. At some point in all of our lives, we all longed for love. The reason I bring this up is because of one popular trend…matching pajamas. Matching pajamas and sitting in front of the christmas tree with a fur baby has grown in popularity over the past few years. Have you ever scrolled on social media and seen memes or people insinuating that they won’t have someone to match pajamas with this year and they’ll “try again next year?” Well, this is something that affects many people.

If you are someone that was looking forward to having a boo this year, but you find yourself single, this year we are not going to be in our feelings, sad, or anxious about the holidays. Rather or not you’re in a relationship, you will be okay. Below you will find my list of ideas to make it through matching pajama season.

Limit The Use Of Social Media

As funny as those reels and memes are, taking a break from social media for your mental health doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Seasonal depression is real, and social media leaves room for those to compare their lives to others, witness their exes move on and get into new relationship(s), have old memories pop up in their archives of people they don’t communicate with anymore, etc. If you know seeing certain things trigger your depression or anxiety, take a step back from scrolling or at least limit it. Whenever you feel like using social media, call a friend that makes you laugh, take a walk and listen to your favorite music, play with your dogs or whatever pet you have, meditate, or do something to distract yourself.

Spend Some Much Needed Time With Friends/Family

Being around people who love and support you can put you in a great mood. I know it’s not the same as it is with a partner, but how about matching pajamas with the important people in your life? Call up some of your friends and plan a brunch or a game night. Reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while and see what they’ve been up to and if they’re interested in hanging out. Text some of your cousins and have a Saturday night sleepover like y’all used to do when you were younger. If you don’t already stay with your parents, there’s nothing wrong with planning a weekend to go back home and sleep in your old bedroom; this can give you a sense of nostalgia and remind you of the good ‘ol days. Spend a weekend with your favorite auntie. Sometimes we can be so focused on what isn’t going right in our life or what or who we don’t have that we can inadvertently overlook the support system we have around us.

Take Extra Self-Care Days

I briefly mentioned this before, but pouring love into yourself is so warranted and needed. Whatever your love language is in relationships, feed it to yourself. If you love acts of service, do small things for yourself, such as cooking or going out on solo dates. If words of affirmations give you the validation you crave, start telling yourself how beautiful, smart, and worthy you are. If you love receiving gifts, treat yourself to something nice when you get paid; it can be a new outfit or a manicure/pedicure. There are many different ways to nurture and love yourself. When you do meet your partner, you will go into this new relationship already having shown yourself how you deserve to be treated.

Travel…If You Can

The sound of suitcase wheels rolling through an airport just does something to me. How about you?  Sometimes a vacation is all you need to instantly put you in a good mood. Getting out of your city even if it’s just for a weekend, is so worth it. If you have the funds, I would suggest taking a small trip to another city or state of your choice. TikTok and youtube are great resources to research things to do before making that trip. You’ll be so busy creating an itinerary and shopping, that you won’t even have time to think about being single for the holidays. 

Volunteer 

The holidays are seasons of giving, specifically Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s not just about giving and receiving gifts on Christmas morning, but helping those who have fallen on short times can be incredibly rewarding. There are ample ways to give back including, passing out food to the less fortunate, volunteering at a homeless shelter or children’s hospital, organizing or helping with a toy drive, and so much more. Making a difference in someone’s life, no matter how big or small, goes a long way.