The Pressure Of The Holidays

Can anyone else relate?

The holidays are a strange time.

For some, it is a time filled with joy and excitement. For others, it is a time of extreme pressure and often sadness.

As a child, we generally experience the former.

Christmas and the whole holiday season is such exciting time. We can’t wait to see what presents we will get, is it going to be that Barbie doll I wanted? Or the new Harry Potter video game?

My sisters and I were always so impatient and couldn’t wait for Christmas day to arrive.

As I grew older, the novelty of the holidays began to wear off.

Once the presents were opened it felt anti-climatic and I just wanted the day to be over already.

Usually, we would get together with our extended family too and have a big party but even the novelty of that began to wear off.

When I moved abroad and started traveling tradition went out the window and I spent Christmas either partying on beaches or having barbeques or going to raves which actually felt like a nice change.

But now even that novelty has worn off (not that I have the option to have a warm Christmas in Canada) and as more time passes, the more I can resonate with those who experience sadness and pressure around the holidays.

I observe people around me stressing about the holidays, having to spend time with in-laws they don’t particularly like, or worrying about feeling 15+ people; on the one hand, this gives me FOMO and makes me wish I had some plans of grandeur.

On the other hand, I feel relieved that it is going to be a bit of a quiet holiday season this year.

There seems to be an unspoken expectation around the holidays that we have to be busy.

The holidays have always been associated with being a social time of the year, and it makes sense.

In my current life situation where I don’t have family around me and will be spending it with my partner and a few friends, I won't be having huge gatherings or crazy beach parties but I am ok with that.

As much as I sometimes allow it to get to me, I don’t want to cave into the pressure of the holidays because that will inevitably create sadness if I feel like I am missing out.

I am content with a quiet Christmas this year and am actually excited to not feel the social pressure that is attached to this season.

The holidays as a child felt so different, and I often miss this feeling. As I grew older it just didn't feel the same, but I guess that is all a part of life.

Can anyone else relate to this? I would love to hear how this season makes you feel.

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