I know I’m not the first to say this, let alone the first to share in this feeling, but I believe it’s important to hear as Christmas quickly approaches: It’s okay to feel sad during the holidays.
There’s already so much pressure to embody “holiday cheer” as soon as Thanksgiving comes around — all the festivities, buying presents, family or friend gatherings — it can be overwhelming for people trying to hold it together.
The reality is that a holiday is just another day. And that’s coming from someone who adores Christmas. Compassion for others should be a year-round golden rule, but should be remembered during this time of year especially.
The holidays can be extremely difficult for many people, young and old. Grief, anger, all of those unpleasant feelings — they have no age limit and will appear at any time and when you least want it to. Not everyone has a big family or even just one person to relish and celebrate with at Christmas. Not everyone has money to buy presents for loved ones, a working car to go anywhere, or a warm home to feel safe and secure in. For some, a holiday is a reminder of someone or something they lost that they won’t ever have again. If personal battles weren’t enough to make you feel isolated, there’s also national conflicts and devastating wars happening around the world, plastered on the news 24/7 and seen everywhere as we scroll daily through our social media platforms.
The world is both a cruel and beautiful place, and I find that the contrast of that good and bad is significantly heightened during the festive season.
That’s why I also believe that we need to make the time now to prioritize taking care of ourselves. And if you have the mental and emotional capacity, to check in with neighbors, friends, and family.
I wrote one story this past week that talks about beating isolation and depression during the colder months and holidays, particularly for those that live alone in rural areas or who have limited resources and contact with others. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, counties with the highest percentages of households with one person age 65 or over living alone were concentrated in the central Midwest. Leelanau County is no stranger to this fact, as those numbers of people living alone have only increased in recent years, along with a growing aging population.
Thankfully, there’s many community centered programs and organizations in Leelanau with ready and willing volunteers to help our elders such as Leelanau County Senior Services and ShareCare. But support is also available at the local and state level for people of all ages, like the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Stay Well program, which is hosting an online coping with grief and loss workshop series two times a week until Dec. 20.
If you’re experiencing any ounce of sadness this month, know you’re not alone and that there are people and resources there to help. Grief has no timeline, and it reminds us that we’re all human, but I hope it can remind people of all the good things out there, too.
