23/12/2024
This time of year can be full of joy, but for many it is also a tricky one; maybe it is a painful anniversary, maybe you lost someone recently, maybe you are alone, maybe estranged from your family, maybe you are sick... There are many reasons this time of year may not be as joyful as it is sold in adverts.
Take care of yourself and your emotions: communicate what you need; maybe it is extra support, maybe it is some time alone, maybe it is doing something simple that doesn't feel overwhelming, maybe it is knowing where to get support (Samaritans is a good start, or visiting a local food bank or your local church).
Give yourself permission to not feel up to it; you don't even "have to" celebrate Christmas. I'm not sure Jesus would tell you to suck it up and carry on 😉
If you have lost someone, it is also giving yourself permission to actually feel sad during "the most joyful time of the year", and tell others about it.
Christmas doesn't "have to" be big. You can go back to essentials; cooking a hearty, simple meal; listening to Christmas carols, lighting a candle, reading Christmas stories...
Christmas doesn't "have to" be in family; maybe you don't have relatives or you are not getting on. You can be social other ways if you need to; e.g. singing in a choir, feeding homeless people...
Christmas doesn't have to be defined by glossy adverts and romantic movies - and equally it doesn't even have to be a time of introspection and reflection and spirituality.
It is the "have tos" and "shoulds" that can make it a hard time.
May Christmas just be a time to be truthful and honest about what you need and love at this time of year, and a time to be mindful of others' experience of Christmas as well 💝
