As a former pro sports wife myself, I recall the times when I was away from home for the holidays traveling with my husband abroad. I remember feeling isolated, lonely and very much missing my family members and our family holiday traditions. I remember the importance of embracing relationships with other pro sports wives for a sense of connection and community. Whether you’re temporarily located overseas or even in a new U.S. city, I believe the things I learned from my own experiences can help you.

How to Create Home for the Holidays:

1. Choose to acknowledge your feelings of disappointment or sadness. It’s okay and healthy to talk about what you’re really feeling.

2. Make plans for close family members and/or friends to spend the holidays with you.

3. Start some new holiday traditions of your own.

4. Volunteer your time to help others less fortunate than you.

5. Pack special dishes, ornaments, holiday music, etc to make the holidays feel familiar.

7. Decorate your house as if you were home and play festive holiday music.

8. Invite other pro sports wives and their families over to your home to help create the “family” feelings of the holidays.

9.  Plan to cook the holiday meal you would if you were home.

10. Connect with family members by phone or video calls to feel a part of loved ones’ holidays.

Porsha Williams, LAMFT

Pwilliams@ GROWcounseling.com