Broke, unemployed and alone at Christmas?

Question

Well, let's see. I lost my job a couple of months ago, haven't found work yet and I am looking every single day. My family is 1200 miles away, and I live alone with no friends. Money is extremely tight, and if I don't find a job very soon, I will be homeless. I am thankful that I don't have children having to deal with this situation, that would be horrible...but it's bad enough. I used to make a very nice living and always splurged on my family and always sponsored a family at Christmas, and I enjoyed that. Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year...but this year I am depressed to the point getting out of bed is often a big accomplishment. I have cried so much my eyes hurt, and I try to not feel sorry for myself because I am thankful for my health and I am fortunate. What would you do if this happened to you at Christmas and how would you handle it? I am not looking for handouts, as they would be refused....just looking for some words of encouragement

Answer 1

Okay honey heres some words of encouragment, thank your lucky stars you dont have kids! I have 3 all under 5 i am homeless living with my parents as my marriage broke down finally left 3 weeks ago. I have tried for some help from the governement as i am still looking for work. The childrens dad wont pay anything for them. So honey make the best out of a bad situation. I have family so it isnt so bad so here raise a glass to the new year and hope next year is better for us!!!

Answer 2

You might not have a job and much money but you are never alone. Jesus is watching over you. I am sure your family understands your circumstances. I also do not believe that accepting help is taking a handout. It might seem a little hard to be happy where you are at this point in your life,but I believe for every door closed another one will open. Volunteer your time where people are giving out things to the homeless for the holidays. You might find that helping others will take your mind off you . Do what you can do and don't worry about what you can't. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! May your New Year be brighter.

Answer 3

December 12, 2004. My birthday, I had a huge fight with my then husband and left. Didn't have anywhere to go, was sleeping in my car ( I live in the northeast) so I couldn't take my kids. My family lives in Vegas, all my friends have left the area I'm in. I was working, but at a crappy job and had minimal cash. I spent Christmas that year alone in a scummy motel with pneumonia.
Theres really no words of encouragement I can give you other than the ones you already know in your heart. It WILL get better.February 2004 I met a great man and found a little apartment, which was condemned a few months later. Then I lost my job and couldn't find a new one for a year. FF to Dec 2006, I'm engaged to be married to the same wonderful guy I met when everything looked so bleak, my ex and I have worked out our problems, I'll be spending my holiday with the man I love, my kids and my future stepdaughter. Few things mean more to me in the world, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger and suffering makes us more thankful for what we do have. Keep in contact with your family as much as you can, and you know what , voulenteer at a soup kitchen this year, It'll do wonders for your mood. There are plenty of people in the world that would be thrilled to be as well off as you are right now!

Answer 4

First of all,you DO have people who care about you,every one who answers this is concerned and wanting to help. Go talk to a local Minister or Priest about your situation,perhaps there is someone looking for a job,but would rather NOT make it public and waiting for the right person to come along that they have told this person about the job. Also,there are jobs everywhere in a Fast Food or even some of the local Malls are still looking for help. Even it it was Temporary Part Time,it would be something. Sometimes taking a job like that can land you a better one. I know of someone a few years ago who was working at a McDonald's until "something better came along" and she was talking to a customer every day,one day the Customer told her that he was looking for some help at his job,it was exactly what she used to do and she got a NEW job from that contact. So,I will continue to pray for you,and don't be downhearted something good is coming out of this besides experience. May God Bless You and Merry Christmas- Just Believe ok? We ALL BELIEVE IN YOU AND YOU WILL BE OK

Answer 5

My family has been in that same situation more than once. One year we didn't have a Christmas and that was with kids. They did receive and we did accept presents and a boxed Christmas dinner from places where they sponsored families at Christmas on other years though. There is noting wrong with accepting help when you need it. Swallow your pride and it will be much less stressful on you this holiday season and who knows you may get a job offer too, Let people know you are looking.

Answer 6

Eh, I'm in a similar situation. I lost my job in May and I'm running out of money to pay the rent. I've been selling stuff online but I was so depressed that I basically screwed that up and now I'm too afraid to check my account. I'm about to be evicted unless I give my landlord the last of my money which I'm now using for food. My boyfriend left me two months ago because he couldn't deal with my depression and I still cry over it everyday. I don't speak to any of my friends anymore because I don't want to talk to anyone. The difference is that the 2 family members I still speak to are only 150 miles away and I'm gong there for X-mas. I really don't want to because I can't give them gifts but I've told my mom the situation so she understands. I finally got insurance and I'm now on Lexapro and Lorazepam. I'm going to the dentist for the first time in 10 years (I have about 6 broken teeth)

I make myself feel better knowing that after Jan 1st, this X-mas stress will be all over with and I can start all over, at least mentally. I'm concentrating on going to the dentist right now and how that's a great thing for me. I also tell myself that it doesn't really matter. It won't always be like this. It's been worse for me before and it will get better again.

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with being homeless. I lived in my car for 2 years, in the cold winters of alaska too.
I had more money once i got a job than i did having to pay rent every month.
There are local Missions in every city.
Mostly the baptists have such mission but the salvation army does too.
Dont be afraid to walk into them as a fall back measure! the food is mostly good enough to keep you going and the fellowship can be rewarding too.
Temporary Job Agency's will find work enough to save for a car or to save for an apartment, but in the long run, ONLY Schooling and trades will provide better jobs. in the meantime just go along with the missions if you need too

Answer 8

I went thru this - 36 hr drive from anyone I knew, on my own on Xmas with a newborn and a new apartment, hardly any posessions, and looking for work (left a bad relationship). But you know, as depressed as I was for a while around then, I looked at myself and went-- WELL, I can sit here with a baby and cry, OR I can go volunteer somewhere, do something, meet people and help out... And so, thats what I did. I found a sitter for the baby (neighbor in the building) and went and volunteered at a soup kitchen. And it made me feel horrible that I was so feeling sorry for myself... I came from a pretty well to do family, so it was really really hard being on my own with my son... BUT I met a guy who was also volunteering that night, and we struck up a relationship... we didn't stay together, but I met some friends thru him, and my social world opened up... all from doing something to get out of the house and around people...
Maybe you should also look into moving home... I did after a hard year on my own, because I was ready to... and it was nice to be home and in familiar territory... also, if it is that hard, you need to see a doctor about it. I know a lot of people have issues with anti depressants, but thats what they are made for- times like this in peoples lives. IF you can't afford the medications, usually the company that makes it will subsidize it for you or give it to you for free.
Also, FYI- a landlord cannot evict you during the months of November to February, especially if you live in a cold weather climate (I'm in Canada, landlords cannot make you leave during the winter months). Check into it. They also have to give you 60 days notice of eviction, and you can still fight them on it. Just don't leave your place unlocked, because the landlord can then say you abandoned your stuff and lock you out... eek!
Anyways, as I ramble on... get out of your shell and DO SOMETHING. Volunteer at a shelter, soup kitchen, serving breakfast at the Red Cross or Salvation Army. Sounds cheesy, but you just might connect with someone who is in the same situation as you... lonely at Christmas. And the feeling of being the same as someone is a wonderful thing when you are lonely... good luck and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Answer 9

The way you feel is worse than 1200 miles. Get away from the place you are now and join your family for Christmas. It will give you a new energy and later some new opportunities may occur.

I am with you.

Answer 10

That's a hard one ... but I would just think of christmas as another day passing ( stay in the house and on the computer) ... it will all be over soon. But also you don't have to have money, family, or friend at christmas if you donate your time to a homeless shelter or like a food shelter ... you can help people and feel better !! good luck !!