Whatever religious beliefs, nationality, or cultural affiliations you may have, there is no escaping the Christmas time mood that descends during this season.
Depending on your personal situation, you may be either filled with happiness or plunged into despair—or more likely, something in between.
It’s a time when family and friends become more important, and whatever the state of your relationships, feelings are heightened. If you are alone, you may feel more alone; and if you have family, whatever is positive or negative about your close relationships can become more intense.
There is a seeming ‘pressure’ to feel that this is a happy time, but if you have no one to spend the holidays with, you can imagine that you don’t belong. On top of that, there is the expectation that you must purchase gifts, even when your resources are low. Everywhere you look, someone is telling you to buy something.
What helps me is recognizing the wide variety of experiences people have—there is no norm and everyone is feeling a mixture of emotions.
Be kind to yourself, whatever your situation. Think of yourself as a valuable part of the ongoing process of life, whether you have family and close friends to be with or not.
Focus on ways to nurture yourself. Get more rest, continue to exercise and meditate, eat warm, nourishing foods, read inspirational books, write in your journal.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, another event, or no event at all, whether you have a big family or are alone, be a friend to yourself. Stay true to the light within.
“Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort.” ― Deborah Day
“Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.” ― André Gide