Great post. (And good writing!) I relate! I’ve never liked the holidays, especially Christmas. In my twenties I called it Capitalism Day, which I now laugh at it but it’s kinda on the mark. More personally, Christmas represents for me the fact that my family loves to shove all the collective trauma under the rug and pretend like everything’s great, perfect in fact, and we get to distract ourselves by giving each other useless possessions. I know--my perspective is a little extreme. What can I say? I’m a writer ✍️. All that said: We had a very nice Thanksgiving.
So many great ideas for dealing with loneliness. And yes, being lonely and being alone are two completely separate things. It is important for us to recognize that.
It's so true. It can be detrimental even when you enjoy the holiday season. I often think about all the people who have no family or friends to visit or to spend time with during this time and it makes me so sad. I am the youngest by a large age gap in my family and I know that will be me someday. I try to be compassionate to myself and others this time of the year. I also have a tradition where I make a video specifically for people who feel lonely this time of year on my channel every Christmas. My hope is that after many years it will make a huge playlist lasting several hours that people can watch if the algorithm happens to bring them to it and then they at least have someone talking to them and distracting them for a while. To me, Christmas is a pagan holiday filled with the kind of magic that can make something out of nothing, a tiny light in the darkest part of the year. Thanks for this!
I loved this! Theoretically, I like the holidays, but the commercialism of it is so draining (financially and spiritually)! Also: loneliness as a reflection of one’s relationship with oneself is spot on. Thank you!
Thank you for speaking openly. As you pointed out so lucidly, most people prefer pretending their happiness on social media. Loved all the practical suggestions.
Yes! Jewish Christmas! I did that for years in NYC. Would go to a movie and Chinese with some Jewish friends. I love that tradition. Personally, I like having rituals around pressure-days like Christmas - for me, it's an excuse to do something decadent, even if it is only making (veggie for me) lasagna... And re religion - there's a lot to unpack in what you said. I have no issue with any faith that has love and goodness at its core - I don't like how so many have been corrupted or twisted for some power, control, and domination. But the actual core beliefs have helped many people, so I can't quite go where you went. But I hear you. May you swim in egg nog this year!
Great post. (And good writing!) I relate! I’ve never liked the holidays, especially Christmas. In my twenties I called it Capitalism Day, which I now laugh at it but it’s kinda on the mark. More personally, Christmas represents for me the fact that my family loves to shove all the collective trauma under the rug and pretend like everything’s great, perfect in fact, and we get to distract ourselves by giving each other useless possessions. I know--my perspective is a little extreme. What can I say? I’m a writer ✍️. All that said: We had a very nice Thanksgiving.
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
So many great ideas for dealing with loneliness. And yes, being lonely and being alone are two completely separate things. It is important for us to recognize that.
It's so true. It can be detrimental even when you enjoy the holiday season. I often think about all the people who have no family or friends to visit or to spend time with during this time and it makes me so sad. I am the youngest by a large age gap in my family and I know that will be me someday. I try to be compassionate to myself and others this time of the year. I also have a tradition where I make a video specifically for people who feel lonely this time of year on my channel every Christmas. My hope is that after many years it will make a huge playlist lasting several hours that people can watch if the algorithm happens to bring them to it and then they at least have someone talking to them and distracting them for a while. To me, Christmas is a pagan holiday filled with the kind of magic that can make something out of nothing, a tiny light in the darkest part of the year. Thanks for this!
🫰
What a beautiful thing to do! I'll have to check your videos out - thanks for letting me know.
I loved this! Theoretically, I like the holidays, but the commercialism of it is so draining (financially and spiritually)! Also: loneliness as a reflection of one’s relationship with oneself is spot on. Thank you!
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thanks! i'm working on liking them more or at least accepting the time and finding joy where I can....
Thank you for speaking openly. As you pointed out so lucidly, most people prefer pretending their happiness on social media. Loved all the practical suggestions.
👍
Thanks, Noemie. Yeah, I'm keeping a low profile on social media for a while....
Yes! Jewish Christmas! I did that for years in NYC. Would go to a movie and Chinese with some Jewish friends. I love that tradition. Personally, I like having rituals around pressure-days like Christmas - for me, it's an excuse to do something decadent, even if it is only making (veggie for me) lasagna... And re religion - there's a lot to unpack in what you said. I have no issue with any faith that has love and goodness at its core - I don't like how so many have been corrupted or twisted for some power, control, and domination. But the actual core beliefs have helped many people, so I can't quite go where you went. But I hear you. May you swim in egg nog this year!
I'm not disagreeing - I just see the church as different from the faith.