Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

Leading Etiquette Expert and Modern Manners Authority Diane Gottsman’s official blog, with Business Etiquette, University Etiquette, Social Media Etiquette, Dining Etiquette and more.

Embracing New Year’s Eve Solo

30 Dec 2019 By: Diane Gottsman

You’ve made it through the holidays, but now you have to endure New Year’s Eve solo — without a date, mate, or solid plans. Whether you’re away from family, newly single, several years divorced, widowed, or the kids are with their other parent this year, it can be challenging to celebrate and embrace New Year’s Eve celebrations when you don’t have built-in companionship.  The first step is to adjust your attitude. Alone does not have to be synonymous with lonely.

New Year's Eve solo

This time of year can be a new opportunity for self-care, self-reflection, and creating new traditions that restore your spirit and inspire you for the coming New Year.

Leading etiquette expert and modern manners authority Diane Gottsman shares 9 tips on celebrating and embracing ringing the New Year’s Eve solo.

You Get to Choose

It is ultimately up to you how to spend your time. Take a close look at what is most important to you at this time of your life. Travel? Binge-watching movies? Catching up with friends? You are in a position of creating the life you love, so dream big.

Try Something New

A new project is a workout for the brain. It gets you out of a rut and exposes you to new people, places, and experiences. Join a group or take a class on a topic that has always grabbed your interested. You will no doubt meet like-minded people.

Say Yes

If you are feeling down about spending New Year’s Eve solo it can be hard to muster the energy to accept an invitation to a party or even lunch with a friend – but it’s probably one of the best things you can do for yourself. People to need community and connections, so putting yourself in a social setting can do wonders for lifting your spirits. 

Take Care of Yourself

You have spent your life taking care of other people. Now it’s time to concentrate on you.  Taking time to focus on your physical well-being has proven mental benefits as well. Eating well (no fad diets), hydrating, getting enough rest, and exercising are all ways to improve your mood. Try a few new recipes and invest in some kitchen essentials.  Maybe this is the time to invest in a bike, a piece of exercise equipment, or join a walking/running group. Or bundle up and go for a walk around the neighborhood or somewhere beautiful, enjoying the sights and sounds.

You Are In Good Company

It can seem like the entire world will be ringing in the New Year with a partner, or cuddled by a roaring fire with loved ones. But according to the U.S. Census, 45.2 percent of American adults are single. So if you find yourself on your own this holiday season, remember that you’re not alone! If you’re looking for companionship, reach out to other single friends, neighbors, or acquaintances and initiate a get-together, whether it’s coffee, lunch, dinner, or a movie.

Reach Out Across the Mile

A phone call with a faraway friend or family member can be a balm for the soul. A Skype call or just a good old-fashioned phone conversation can lift your spirits immeasurably. Set up a phone date and time with a friend, so you are both available for an unhurried chat.

Take a Break from Social Media

People are posting curated glimpses of the best moments of their lives – what you see doesn’t truly reflect reality with all its ups and downs. It can easily make you feel like you are missing out. Tune out for a while and focus on “real life.”

Help Someone Else

There are plenty of places in your community that could use your help, from animal shelters to food banks. Volunteering not only offers a sense of purpose but delivers plenty of positive mental and physical benefits, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides a connection to others, and it can be a lot of fun, too. Start small with an hour here or there and discover the benefits for yourself.

Treat Yourself Kindly

Find ways to pamper yourself within your budget. It could be ordering your favorite meal, buying the latest bestseller in hardback, getting a massage, or indulging in a mani-pedi. The start of a new year is a great time to find new ways of resetting your outlook on life. It will be different for everyone, so spend your New Year’s Eve with a great meal, a journal, and high aspirations for a great 2020.

For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.