Holidays Are Hard

Holidays are hard. Plain and simple. The going, the getting, the gathering, the rushing. The lists! It's the endless planning and strategizing to ensure everything goes off without a hitch, and that all that needs to be taken care of is done.

With the anticipation of time together with food and fellowship and the excitement of celebration, holidays are a whirlwind of highs and lows and an emotional wave of fulfillment and emptiness. On their own, holidays can cause a wide range of emotions, which in turn can cause a range of actions and reactions. When facing this rapid-fire, full-throttle season without a loved one, holidays can be really hard. It's a type of hard that most people try to hide or at least "keep at bay." They feel that unnecessary expectation that all people are supposed to be filled with joy and merriment, and the holidays are not meant for times of heartache and disappointment.

But in reality, many of us are heartbroken during the holidays. We are saddened and hurt. We are facing a joy-filled time with empty feelings of loss. We are missing someone who should be part of the fellowship and family time. And many of us may not know what to do with those emotions. We may not know how to encounter this season of peace and joy. We may be looking for an outlet of hope or a tiny sliver of something comforting. Being emotionally lost or feeling empty inside during the holiday season is acceptable. It is ALLOWED. It is an honest way of encountering the rhythm between what you are missing and what is around you. There is no need to get overwhelmed by the tasks of the season or worried about all the things still needing to be done. There is time for that. But if you're finding yourself lost without your little one or empty because they are no longer there, then

step back and look for your outlet of peace. Give yourself 15 minutes to stop what you are doing and connect with yourself. Practice breathing. Go for a walk. Sit down and read a book.

Find a way to unwind from the seemingly stress-filled holidays and do something simple. Something that brings you a little comfort and a little peace. Do something easy during the hard holiday season.