We take stock of the past months in December. We are flooded with messages about the new year’s goals as the new year draws closer, pushing us to reflect on our lives, find inadequacies, and vow changes. We consider the people, families, and loved ones absent and how our lives may alter from how they did in the past when we reflect.
December can also be a difficult month at work. A hectic end of the year results from holiday parties, getting together with coworkers, and the upcoming vacation. The atmosphere is heavy because of the shorter days and colder temperatures that surround this.
- You feel lonely or isolated.
As a society, we are constantly told how our families, friendships, and holiday social lives should be. Our experiences are probably a little different from what we see on television, where happy families are seated around a large dining table. We are urged to contrast our lives with made-up ones in advertisements, embellished accounts from friends or social media, or historical tales throughout December.
Find communal, religious, or other social gatherings or communities if you feel lonely or alone. Many people might have websites, social media accounts, online forums, or virtual events. These organizations might also offer consolation and assistance. For example, if you’re feeling stressed out during the holidays, talking to a friend or member of your family about your worries may be helpful.
- You’re dealing with grief.
Holidays are difficult to observe without a loved one. Rituals, images, or smells frequently bring back memories, some of which may be painful. Remember that they are in charge of the holidays in any case. So, don’t force it if you’re not planning to celebrate this year.
Permit yourself to skip the holiday season instead. You could wish to spend some time alone at home, walk in the woods, or talk to people going through similar experiences.
Spending time with friends and family might be reassuring if you want to celebrate something. This is particularly true if one realizes their absence and thinks back on the remembrance of a loved one who has passed away. Make an effort to include the memory of the deceased in new customs and traditions. The most crucial thing is to have compassion for yourself and recognize that things cannot go as planned. Therefore, don’t be scared to turn down or cancel last-minute invitations.
- You’re distanced from your family.
The cultural and economic ideals of family that surround the holidays can make being estranged extra agonizing. These photos make many feel even more isolated and ostracised since they do not accurately depict reality.
Your family’s values are meaningful to you and only you. So when you feel unappreciated by your blood relatives, it can be good to surround yourself with people who share your ideals and appreciate your individuality.
- You’re going through a divorce.
Because divorce is traumatic and can create grief symptoms, for some people, seeing photographs of couples in love during the holidays can be extremely upsetting. The secret to getting through the end of the year is to take care of yourself if you are dealing with the hurt and rage brought on by infidelity or irreconcilable differences.
Create a self-care regimen you can stick to, such as having a lengthy bath or walking daily. Even the smallest actions can help you focus on what you are doing when you practice self-love instead of what other people are doing or feeling.
- You’re experiencing anger.
Many of us often communicate with family we don’t see very often throughout December. Some of them might have harmed us in the past or right now. Due to irritation and unresolved tension, we frequently find it difficult to set boundaries or express our sentiments throughout the Christmas season.
