As we step into this holiday season, we at Regarding You – Mindful Care recognizes that “joy” might feel elusive for many. This year, perhaps more than ever, many are feeling the weight of challenges, expected losses, and unmet expectations, making it difficult to embrace that usual cheer. This season feels different, and for countless people, it will be a A Holiday Unexpected.
If you’re feeling a sense of heaviness or loss, know that you’re not alone. Projections for 2024 show an anticipated rise in cases of seasonal depression, with an increasing number of individuals expected to struggle due to financial hardships, work-related stress, and election burnout. Studies suggest that these circumstances, combines with shorter daylight hours and colder weather, contribute to a significant rise in symptoms of sadness, fatigue, and isolation during the winter months.
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge where we are. For some, this year brought disappointment or left them feeling depleted rather than fulfilled. Maybe you’ve poured yourself into work, logging countless hours, only to find that instead of yielding rewards, it has left you burdened by setbacks. Entering the holiday season may feel like a struggle, where lingering feelings of stress and weariness are real, and these feelings have been earned. You don’t need to set them aside just because it’s the holiday season.
This isn’t a rallying cry to “push through” or “perk up”. Instead, let’s take this season as an opportunity to pause and practice acceptance. It’s okay to be exactly where you are – even if that place is one of sorrow, disappointment, or uncertainty. During the holidays, let’s resist the urge to force a false cheer and instead, honor the way we truly feel. We often think we need to meet the season with joy, but this year, let’s be present with ourselves, as we are, and create small, intentional spaces of peace.
If joy feels out of reach, consider creating a space of solace and calm. Take moments, even if just for an hour or two, to set down the challenges of this year. Give yourself permission to rest, breathe, and be with those who restore your spirit. Whether it’s spending time in quiet, enjoying a cup of tea, or allowing a moment of laughter with loved ones, find these small pockets to refill your cup. These practices of mindfulness and presence may help to create the isolated spaces of peace we need to continue.
This simple act of creating moments for yourself – moments where the pressures of the year can fade – can be practice for years to come. Just as we are for others, let’s also care for ourselves, so that we have the resilience and strength to keep moving forward, not just now, but in every season ahead.
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