For some of us Christmas is the most enjoyable time of the year. However, for others it might be a more difficult or painful time.
When we’re caught up in our excitement, we may sometimes find ourselves pressuring others to feel the same way as us; reacting with judgement or criticism (directly or passively) when someone tells us that they won’t be sending Christmas cards, or that they’d rather spend Christmas alone with a meal for one.
This reaction, whilst understandable (we might fear losing our own joy) and socially acceptable, actually flies in the face of what most of us consider to be the true spirit of the season: love.
There are many valid reasons for people to not enjoy this time of year, or indeed other celebrations such as their birthday.
It may mark the anniversary of the loss of a loved one, it might remind us of a painful childhood, or the sights, sounds and expectations of Christmas might simply just be too overwhelming for the senses.
And just because it’s Christmas time doesn’t mean that normal life stops; couples still get divorced, people become ill, lose their jobs, or suffer with depression.
The most compassionate thing that we can do is to say, "It’s OK" to our friends or family members who aren’t feeling jolly this Christmas, or to ourselves if we’re the one feeling that way.
We can use mindfulness to help us make space for those feelings to just be as they are, without trying to enforce cheer upon ourselves or others.
If you’re excited and happy for Christmas, that’s OK too! Enjoy it!
But, if you’re not feeling so great, that’s OK too.
Just bring awareness to whatever is arising right now, whether festive or not, and try to meet that experience with openness and presence.
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