• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS

5 Minutes for Mom

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Snack
      • Lunch
      • Appetizer
      • Dinner
      • Dessert
    • Ingredient
      • Apple
      • Beef
      • Blueberry
      • Chicken
      • Chocolate
      • Cranberry
      • Peach
      • Pumpkin
      • Squash
      • Strawberry
      • Tomato
      • Vegetables
      • Zucchini
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Baking
      • Grilling
      • Instant Pot
      • No Bake
      • One Dish
      • Slow Cooker
    • Type
      • Breads and Rolls
      • Cakes and Muffins
      • Condiments
      • Cookies and Bars
      • Drinks
      • Food for Kids
      • Gluten-Free
      • Main Dish
      • Pies and Crisps
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Side Dishes
      • Smoothies
      • Soup
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • DIY
    • Kids Crafts
    • Printables
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing
  • Family Life
    • Giveaways
    • Lifestyle
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
    • Parenting
    • Pet Care
    • Special Needs
    • Time Management
    • Travel
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas

What If The Holidays Are Not Your Happiest Time Of Year?

December 7, 2014 by Susan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

ShareTweetPinPocketMail

Sometimes this season that should feel festive ends up being the toughest.

Christmas can be brutally depressing for many people and the continual carolling of joyous tidings can feel like stinging salt in a wound. Because if there’s one thing worse than feeling depressed, it’s feeling depressed when everyone around you is extraordinarily happy.

If you’ve ever experienced a time of sadness during this season, you may know what I’m talking about.

Not Your Happiest Time of the Year

While I don’t have the particularly painful sting of being alone or missing a loved one during the holidays, I have battled clinical depression for over 20 years so I know what it’s like to feel as though I can’t quite generate the joy of the season.

Some years, a little “seasonal affective” sadness, mixed in with the overwhelm of too much work, not enough money, and the extra responsibilities and chores brought on by the holidays can wear me down and take a hit to my holiday cheer.

So, what can you do to help yourself or a friend through this time?

First of all, it’s important to recognize that this isn’t always the happiest time of the year. Sure we may sing songs that declare it to be, but we also sing about a fat man, dressed in red, stuffing stockings.

So put it in perspective… the entire world is not perfectly happy while you’re the only one not feeling the joy. Even though you may know logically that you’re not the only unhappy one, it can begin to feel that way during Christmas. And that misguided thought will make you even more lonely and depressed.

Remember you’re not alone. Lots of people don’t love the freezing cold, frantically over scheduled month of December.

And that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up because you ought to be happier.

Instead, be extra kind to yourself…

  1. Indulge in a few holiday treats. Take time with your children or a friend to bake Christmas cookies or make homemade chocolates.
     
  2. Gift yourself a trip to the spa. Don’t wait for someone to give you a gift certificate, hop on Groupon and find yourself an awesome local deal. Then congratulate yourself on being clever and saving money.
     
  3. Schedule a sleep-in on Saturday. Hire a babysitter or ask a friend or family member to watch your kids while you catch up on much needed sleep.
     
  4. Volunteer or spend some time helping someone else. It’s phenomenal how helping someone else is the best way to make yourself happy.
     
  5. Donate gifts and Christmas hampers to families in need. You’ll feel the warmth of giving when you shop for a pair of pyjamas or other gift items for children who don’t have much.

Sometimes pampering yourself with a peppermint mocha, a long bath and a good movie can be enough to warm up your mood, but if it’s not, please reach out and tell someone how you’re feeling.

If you are struggling with serious depression, please get help. Talk to someone and don’t let yourself be alone.

And if you’re the jolly type who can’t imagine being sad at Christmas, try to watch for signs that a friend or family member may be struggling and be the one to reach out and help her through this season.

 

Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at pinterest.com/5minutesformom

ShareTweetPinPocketMail
Around the Blogosphere – Add YOUR Giveaway Link #Giveaways
Crio Brü – Brewed Coca #CrioParty #Giveaway

About Susan

Susan Carraretto and her identical twin, Janice Croze, created 5 Minutes for Mom in 2006. Susan loves all social media, but her top addiction these days is Pinterest.

Reader Interactions


Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments

  1. orangeheromama says

    December 8, 2014 at 7:40 am

    I definitely needed to see this article this morning, as this thought has been driving me crazy! I am definitely struggling with the momguilt of not being perfectly awesome during the holidays. But I wish the tips were a bit more relevant to normal people who maybe can’t afford a spa visit etc..
    Just a single mom over here, working 3am shifts, trying to just afford Christmas and groceries!

    Reply
  2. Anna says

    December 8, 2014 at 6:54 am

    Oh Susan, I’m so sorry. I don’t struggle with clinical depression but at times I let things stress me out so that I just want to escape. Depression runs in my family though so I am trying hard to do my best to keep a healthy outlook on life. I love your tips and suggestions. Such great advice.

    Reply
  3. Jo-Lynne Shane says

    December 7, 2014 at 6:40 am

    P.S. I think the advice to indulge a little bit is a good one. I made time for a pedicure earlier in the week, and I have been letting myself just sleep for a bit at times. I try not to overdo the sleep thing – it’s hard on the family. But yeah, I think it is definitely okay and good to indulge a bit. I also like your suggestions to focus on others too. xo

    Reply
  4. Jo-Lynne Shane says

    December 7, 2014 at 6:39 am

    I don’t have clinical depression, but I do struggle with seasonal depression and right now I have some ongoing injuries that I can’t seem to fix or find an answer to and I’m really down lately. I just want to sleep, I’m not happy, my kids see it and it is hard for them. I know I should fake it for them, but it’s almost impossible. I can’t imagine what living with clinical depression might be like. My dad is bipolar and he always got depressed at the holidays so I know it’s not uncommon. I love this time of year, but I do often think about those who struggle for various reasons. ((hug))

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Bringing Moms Together

We are Janice and Susan, twin bloggers and work-at-home moms. We're here to inspire, encourage & empower you.

Meet Us…

Work With Us…

Subscribe via Email

to be first to read new posts

Trending Now

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Among Us Costumes – How To Make Pretty DIY Among Us Cosplay Outfits

Among Us Costumes – How To Make Pretty DIY Among Us Cosplay Outfits

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

browse around

  • Posts by Susan
  • Posts by Janice
  • Favorite Recipes
  • Favorite Crafts
  • Giveaways
  • All Posts

Footer

Recipes

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Valentine Pretzels – How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Good Morning Breakfast Smoothie Recipes

Good Morning Breakfast Smoothie Recipes

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Crafts/DIY

Animal Ears – How to Make an Easy No Sew Animal Ears Headband

Animal Ears – How to Make an Easy No Sew Animal Ears Headband

Free Halloween Printables For Kids

Free Halloween Printables For Kids

Easy Cat Costume – How To Make A Gorgeous Black Cat Costume

Easy Cat Costume – How To Make A Gorgeous Black Cat Costume

Giveaways

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Mom

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Mom

School Supplies List and Back to School Shopping Guide

School Supplies List and Back to School Shopping Guide

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 5 Minutes for MomTheme by Melissa Rose Design and Once Coupled