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Navigating the Holidays When You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating
Michelle planned for her holiday family gathering like she did every year. She cleaned her home, purchased holiday lights, and created a delicious menu. But in the middle of the celebration, Michelle had to excuse herself.
She went into the bathroom and started sobbing. Her heart was raw from the loss of a loved one, and she was having trouble feeling happy. What was usually a celebration was colored by the overwhelming pain she felt.
Emotional Health and the Holidays
The holidays may trigger feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and grief. The unspoken pressure to feel happy can intensify your emotions.
Unfortunately, Michelle isn’t the only one who experiences this. The holidays can be a wonderful time with family, friends, and good food. It’s a time for making memories and sharing tender moments.
But it can also make a tender heart feel raw. You may be aching for any number of reasons. Perhaps, like Michelle, you’re grieving the loss of a loved one.
Maybe you just lost a beloved pet or heard you were being evicted. Perhaps you’re missing a family member you’re estranged from. Maybe you learned that your investments just tanked.
