Choosing This Week’s Topic: Of Course It’s Christmas!
There were a few things I could have written about this week, and as it’s December, and this is me, I’ve gone for Christmas.
The Joy and the Struggle of the Festive Season
Christmas can be a joyous time of year, full of hope and gratitude, but it can also be a time of loneliness and worry about how you can afford everything and whether you are letting down loved ones if it’s not like a Hallmark movie.
My Own Christmases: The Tough Ones and the Wonderful Ones
It’s my favourite time of the year, but I’ve had some really tough Christmases, when all I’ve wanted to do was get through them. I’ve also had some really great Christmases and what got me through each one, was self-compassion and the reminder that it was just a day. For the tough years, I held on to the belief that things would get better and I just had to put one foot in front of the other. For the fantastic years, I wanted to savour everything and be grateful for what I had.
Wherever You Are This Year: Be Kind to Yourself
Wherever you are this year, be kind to yourself and try and take some time to do the things that you love and bring you joy. If you have traditions, look to embrace them where you can – it may be something simple like watching ‘The Snowman’ or going for a Boxing Day walk. If you’re struggling, know that you can get through this. If you’re thriving, create new memories that you can take with you. Try not to put pressure on yourself and if this isn’t the Christmas that you want, know you can celebrate it in the future when you’re up to it. Christmas in July? Pretend it’s an Australian Christmas and throw another burger on the BBQ!