When Christmas Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas: Embracing What Is

This is for those whose festive seasons aren’t going as you’d hoped.

Maybe you didn’t get enough time off work, or didn’t realise you needed more, or were too stressed or duty-bound to take it.

Maybe your friends and family are scattered all over, and instead of coming together, this time of the year shows how much distance there is between you all.

Maybe you wanted to get some life admin out of the way… but you also wanted to relax and finally start taking care of yourself better - so, obviously, you haven’t done either.

Maybe it’s the first christmas without someone close… or maybe it’s the first you’re spending in a different way.

Maybe you just wanted to do the cosy christmas stuff - seeing the lights, drinking the hot drinks, walking in the winter weather, watching the silly movies. But it was busy and overwhelming outside, the overpriced mulled wine wasn’t great, the weather’s been a bit sh*t, and you’ve not had time for the movies.

Maybe every year you want that magical feeling and every year it feels further and further away.

Maybe it’s adulting, maybe it’s capitalism, maybe it’s dopamine addiction, maybe it’s anxiety and overwhelm and in-your-head-ness.

Maybe you just need to stop. Breathe. Look at what’s in front of you. And what you’d like to be in front of you. Stop fighting what isn’t here and start moving towards what you want. Whatever that means for you.

Have a lovely festive season, all my yearning-for-christmases-long-long-ago peeps. It’s ok to feel however you’re feeling now. I’ve got you!