Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone
By Gwenn Voelckers
This morning, I was doing what many of us do — deleting a mountain of unwanted emails. Click, delete. Click, delete. Repeat.
And then, a welcome surprise!
Nestled among the junk was a message from Jean Westcott, the extraordinary owner of The Artful Gardener here in Rochester.
If you haven’t been there, The Artful Gardener is more than a shop: it’s a celebration of beauty, creativity and kindness. Jean has curated a space where fine American art, craft, and heart come together.
Her shop is as warm and inspiring as Jean herself — a place where connections bloom year-round.
So, when I saw her email subject line — “Caring for Community This Season” — I knew I’d be inspired.
Inside her message Jean shared this story that stopped me in my tracks:
That line — “Be someone’s reason to be happy” — stayed with me all morning.
For those of us who live alone, the holidays can be a mixed bag of emotions. We may love the season’s sparkle and music, but we may also feel the quiet more deeply. I know I do.
Yet here’s the thing: When we shift our focus from what’s missing to what we can give, everything changes.
Acts of kindness — even the small, spontaneous ones — are powerful antidotes to loneliness and isolation. They connect us, ground us, and remind us that joy multiplies when shared.
Here are 10 meaningful ways you can “be someone’s reason to be happy” this holiday season:
1. Deliver a little delight
Surprise a neighbor with homemade cookies or leave a small poinsettia on someone’s porch. The gift doesn’t have to be big: it’s the warmth and thought that count.
2. Reach out to someone who’s alone
Call, text or write a note to a friend who may be spending the holidays solo. Even a short message like, “Thinking of you today,” can brighten their world.
3. Volunteer your time
From serving meals to ringing bells for the Salvation Army, your time is a gift people will remember (more often than you realize).
4. Support local shops
When you shop locally, you’re supporting your neighbors and your community. Visit The Artful Gardener this season for inspiration, and while there, drop off a food donation for St. Andrew’s food cupboard.
Together, we can help hundreds of families right here in Rochester enjoy a brighter holiday.
5. Offer kindness freely
Hold the door, compliment a stranger’s scarf, or let someone go ahead of you in line. You might be the only kind moment in someone’s day.
6. Share your skills
Are you handy, creative, or tech-savvy? Offer to hang a neighbor’s wreath, help a friend shop online, or fix a wobbly chair. Small acts of service can make someone’s day.
7. Invite someone in
Host a simple “come-as-you-are” dinner or movie night. No fancy menu, no pressure — just a warm space for connection.
8. Send joy by mail
Mail an old-fashioned holiday card to someone you haven’t seen in a while. Tuck in a personal note. The power of handwritten words endures, especially these days.
9. Give anonymously
Tape quarters to a laundromat machine along with a little “For you!” sign, purchase gift cards at local grocery stores and hand them to people who need a lift, or pay for the next person’s coffee. These small gestures of generosity spread ripples of joy.
10. Be kind to yourself
Yes, you. Take time to rest, reflect, and appreciate the good in your own life. When your inner light is strong, it shines brighter for everyone around you.
This holiday season, let’s remember Jean’s message and the monk’s wisdom: “If you believe there’s not enough light in the world, become it.” Light doesn’t only come from candles or twinkling lights. It can come from you.
Every kind word, thoughtful gesture, and moment of connection adds a bit of brightness to the world — and to your own life, too. When you share your light, your heart feels warmer, your days fuller, and your home a little less quiet.
Here’s to being someone’s reason to be happy . . . and to finding plenty of reasons to be happy yourself.
Gwenn Voelckers is a certified life coach (CLC), columnist and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. She welcomes your comments, questions, and inquiries at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com