holiday blues — Lifestyle & Wellness

For many years, the holiday season was difficult for me. The irony is, in an ideal scenario, I love spending time with loved ones and curating thoughtful gifts. For several years in a row, I felt sad around special days like Thanksgiving and Christmas for a few different reasons. The biggest sore point was that I didn’t have the best relationship with people I was once close with. There were a few other factors that made me feel like somewhat of a grinch, but not being able to spend the holidays with the ones I loved hurt the most. It has been an uphill battle, but in recent years, my feelings around this time of the year have begun to improve.

These last few years, I have become more open and enthusiastic about celebrating the holidays again. I have slowly begun rebuilding relationships and creating new ones. A big part of why I feel safe enough to be excited this time of the year is because I finally have my own little family with Mario, Rosie, and baby on the way. I think a lot of what stopped me from feeling festive before was fear and anticipation of disappointment. It hurt to see others around me so happy and busy while I felt lonely.

The holidays can be difficult for many reasons, especially this year with the pandemic. For the majority, it seems to be a joyful and generous time, but it’s not possible for everyone. This year, with the COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions, I predict that these feelings may be amplified for some who are unable to spend quality time with the ones they love.

If you’re having a hard time this holiday season, I recommend focusing on self-care. This looks different for everyone, but for me, it includes eating yummy food, resting, and crying it out. It’s important to sit with your emotions but to also work through them. At times when I feel down, I isolate myself. However, I’ve learned that what we often need is a safe and comforting space to express our emotions. If you’re feeling lonely, do your best to not isolate yourself, and instead open up to someone you trust whether it be a friend, family member, therapist, or counselor. Being able to share how we feel with someone we trust makes it easier to overcome feelings of sadness and loneliness. It’s also important to know that you aren’t alone and many others may be feeling the same way even if they don’t express it.

The end of the year is a time for reflection- to take the time to see how much we’ve grown and what we’ve learned. 2020 has been one of the toughest years we’ve seen this decade, but it’s almost over and soon we will be turning a new leaf. I always look forward to celebrating the New Year because I have a chance to leave the former year behind and start fresh. I have had my fair share of difficult times, but I’ve learned that resilience is key. No matter how difficult life can get, I always believe that it’s possible for things to improve, and that’s what I hold onto during the holiday blues.