By: Sandy Weiner for The Good Men Project.

The holidays can be a challenging time, especially if you’re single.

From the outside looking in, it can seem like everyone’s living a Norman Rockwell-esque life, and you feel like you don’t fit in.

Whether you’re alone for the holidays, or you’re concerned about being single for Christmas and Hanukkah, how can you approach the festive season without getting down?

Jessie Stephens, Monique Bowley and Mia Freedman talk about single life onMamamia Out Loud.Post continues after audio…

Well, try changing your perspective — a positive mindset can help you weather any challenge.

Instead of focusing on what‘s bad about being single for the holidays, focus on what you’re grateful for. I asked my private Facebook group of single women between the ages of 40 and 80 from all over the world why they’re grateful to be single for the holidays.

Here’s what they said…

via GIPHY

60 Reasons To Be Grateful You’re Single for the Holidays… and Beyond

via GIPHY

How’s that for a positive spin on being single?

Many of these women are grateful to be out of a toxic relationship, while others are enjoying this time of reinvention, discovering what they love and who they are at this stage in life.

What I love most about this exercise is the perspective shift, which helps you focus on what’s good instead of what’s wrong in your life. I understand that it can sometimes be frustrating and lonely to be single, especially around the holidays. But ‘single’ is not a disease to be cured. With the right focus, it can be a time of celebration and joy.

This article originally appeared on The Good Men Project.

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