In two days, it will be Christmas. The season of giving and cheer. The bright lights and the constant news reports of ‘everyone traveling’ to some destination to celebrate this happiest season of all.

However, that is not always the reality for the ‘bah humbug’ people. The people who dread family gatherings, those who are triggered due to trauma, the lonely or those who are just not having a cheerful time. Beyond the twinkling and festive lights, it can be very hard to find a reason to be grateful at Christmas.

Individual Experiences

‘Be grateful you are healthy,’ ‘be thankful you are alive,’ be happy you do not have it as bad as others.’

While all those things can be true, the human experience is not as simple. For example, I organized a family trip to a light festival and while 99.9% of the family enjoyed themselves, there was one who sulked from the beginning to the end. Each family member attended the same event but had a different experience. Why? because our thoughts influenced our mood and therefore, how we interpreted the event.

Our ability to find gratitude is influenced by our circumstances and how we process our experiences. For example, while the bah humbug family member had her stressors, I also had my own. However, we chose to address it differently in a space that was meant to help lighten the emotional load for just a few hours.

Gratitude Is Possible

There is a time for everything. This includes a time to sulk, wallow in self-pity, and feel the burden of your struggles. There is also a time to look beyond the immediate situation, create a plan that brings change, and see that not everything in life is a total misery.

It would be nice if the happiest time of the year could shield us all from hard moments or unspeakable tragedies. Unfortunately, Christmas is many things but it’s not a miracle season. However, for just a brief moment, reframe those thoughts and allow the season to dull your pain. Let the Christmas carols put you in a merry mood and the sparkling lights give you a beautified vision of an imperfect world.

Even though the problems are ever present, we all need a mental break. We all need that momentary escape which frees us from being permanent residents in the bah humbug mood. We need to allow ourselves to find even the smallest of gratitude.

Check out my podcast on Spotify Balance & Bloom with Francine and Claudia Ep. 21 Surviving Christmas