It’s OK To Be Sad During The Holidays

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Christmas is in two days. Chanukah is upon us. We’re officially in the thick of the holidays.

I want to take this time to say something that’s not talked about enough: it’s ok to not be happy during the holidays.

There are a ton of reasons someone would feel triggered by this time of year. Maybe the holidays remind you of a loved one you lost or those you’re not able to see. Perhaps you’re stressed out like I am. There are so many gifts to buy, outings to plan, expectations to meet.

Then there’s the added pressure of people expecting you to be happy, no matter your circumstances. So the guilt of being sad ensues, and you find yourself in a vicious cycle of the holiday blues.

But you’re not a robot. The holidays don’t magically press pause on your worries, sadness, and stresses.

It’s ok to be sad.

If there’s one thing I learned from trying to overcompensate for my depression, it’s that trying to act happy makes you even sadder. Mustering up emotions you don’t have, acting like everything is cool, makes things a whole lot worse when the party is over. It’s emotionally draining, and I say you’re better off not acting happy.

There’s no need to be a Grinch, but there’s also no need to try to act like everything is ok.