The Holidays can bring lots of joy and happiness to your being. It’s like the minute December 1^st hits a huge spell gets cast on everyone, where all sins are forgiven, smiles are constant, and the world is all dressed in red and green.

You see cute little families all in matching outfits, the little child crying on Santa's lap, and the poor photographer trying to get his attention by doing some cheesy tactic, boyfriends and girlfriends walking hand-in-hand, little kids making gingerbread houses…

Until it’s not all happy and glorious anymore, and the spell is broken. The reds and greens turn into shades of grey, the warmth turns into cold, and the snow falling down turns into tears down your face.

It sucks being dumped, but even more right before the holidays.

Not only are you left depressed when it should be the happiest time of the year, you also have to answer the questions from family members:

“Where is [Insert the name of the di*k here]?”

“How is [Insert the name of the son of a bi*ch here]?”

As well as the usual:

“When are you getting married?”

“Anyone special in your life?”

“How do you not have a boyfriend?”

The only perk is that there will be tons and tons of cookies and sweets to stuff your face with as you cry to chick flick movies like Jessica Day.

But you want to know something? There is a light at the end of the tunnel. After the initial shock and tears wear off, the smoke clears and you can see the guy for what he truly was. You are no longer blinded by the pixie dust happiness that caged you to him. You start to realize how he never really listened to you or paid attention while you talked about life and the important stuff. He never held open those doors or really said anything kind towards you at all. You see him for what he is. A whole bunch of expletives.

Being dumped is never easy, and it may take time to get over him, maybe far past December. But look on the bright side:

• You don’t have to buy him a cute and expensive gift for Christmas.
• You can focus on being with your family and friends for the Holidays.
• You don’t have to show up for school with tear-stained cheeks.
• You have an interesting entry to put in your diary.
• You can tell this story to your future daughter to help her cope with her Holiday breakup.
• You can still do all those holiday-related dates with your best friends.
• You can start New Year’s fresh and free.
• You can watch as many Hallmark movies as you want without the groaning and complaining of him.
• You can catch up with all your Netflix shows.

Remember: This heartbreak won’t last forever, and there’s a reason for everything. Take this new single-season to grow and chase your dreams. You don’t need a guy to do that.