It’s December and the Holidays can be a source of joy and celebration for so many, but it is also often a season shrouded in heavy and deep pain for others.
As someone who has experienced both loss and depression I know how suffocating this season can be when your heart is shredded.
Being depressed during a season that is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year” makes you feel like a fish out of water, like you can’t even breathe. Like your bleeding heart has nowhere to rest among all the smiles and parties and gifts and joy. It feels like you have to fake it extra hard during Christmas time. You feel exhausted but also guilty if you skip out on things during the Holidays.
If that’s where you are this year. Just know that I see you. You don’t have to fake anything during this season. It’s alright if you don’t feel like decorating. It’s okay if you can’t muster up the energy to shop for gifts. If Christmas music makes you want to punch a wall and and baking makes you want to pull your hair out, that’s OKAY. Take care of yourself, draw the boundaries you need this year.
Some tips for you if you are walking through Holidays grieving this year:
Let yourself feel everything. Let yourself cry, sleep, be angry, sad, heartbroken. Whatever it is you are feeling don’t try to shove it down, embrace it, journal and let it flow out.
Take time to be alone. There can be a lot going on during the Holidays, so don’t feel bad about turning down some invites and taking time for yourself.
Give yourself something to look forward to each day, even if it’s just something small. If you love Christmas movies plan one to watch each day. Bake cookies, listen to your favorite Christmas music, or decorate if it’s something that brings you joy and life.
Go about your days as normal if Holiday traditions bring more pain then joy this year. Don’t let anyone guilt you into celebrating a season you don’t want to. If you want to walk through December like it was any other month that is OKAY.
Find people to talk to who you can simply process with and who are a safe place for your to grieve with. Find people who can listen and just be with you and who won’t make you pretend to be happy.
Do you have any other tips or advice from your own experience of struggling with depression or walking through grief during the Holidays? Let’s all share in the comments below so we can encourage each other and also help each other walk well with those who are grieving this season.
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