To fully understand this article a little bit of a background may be needed. When I was 16 years old I estranged myself from my biological family, and I became a member of a new family who I'd met through family friends.
Needless to say, until recently, the holidays have always been a difficult time for my mental health. And I'm here to say if you're blessed to be a part of a loving family you should feel fortunate. If you're someone who comes from a dysfunctional family and finds the holidays to be a difficult time, you're not alone.
For 16 years I had no idea what the concept of family was. I knew these people I was surrounded by were not people I wanted to spend my time with and every holiday was a complete disaster. Filled with anxiety and depression regarding the holiday season, I spent a lot of my time with friends outside of my home. The constant social media influx of people expressing thanks for their families made me beyond envious.
Having been through such experiences really opened my eyes to the importance of family now that I am a part of one. Those who share similar experiences growing up may not have the same eye-opening epiphany, because being suddenly welcomed into a new family is pretty rare. But, because of how events unfolded, I am pleased to say I have been blessed with an incredible newfound concept of family togetherness.
Teenagers and young adults are sometimes ridiculed for their unfriendly attitudes when attending family events merely because they think they have better things to do. But I am here to tell you, you don't want to spend your Thanksgiving sitting on the couch on your phone while the rest of your family is socializing in the other room. If you've been blessed with a family that spends time together you should value that time because not everyone is given such an opportunity and would love to be in your place. Because of this, be courteous to those around you because you never know what type of home they're going back to during the coming months, some may not even have a home to go back to.
To those who aren't quite as lucky, you're not alone, and here are some tips to getting through this holiday season with your mental health in-tact.
If you don't already have a hobby, find one.
It's important to get outside of your head and put your energy into something that gives a sense of fulfillment during these times.
Spend your time with friends- reach out to those around you.
By surrounding yourself with people who value and support you no matter what you'll feel a sense of belonging.
Volunteer.
There are others out there who have the same feelings you do around this time of the year. Giving back in any way gives a sense of purposefulness.
Spend less time on your social media.
It's probably affecting you more than you realize and taking a toll on your self-esteem. If you need to, take a break from certain outlets like Facebook for the holiday season.
Practice self-care in any form that provides stability.
If that means turning your phone off and watching a movie or your favorite TV show to quiet the feelings you're having, so be it. Meditation and yoga work for some, while reading a book or writing works for others.
Just know if you're facing the holiday season solo or with a family, you don't identify with, you will get through it, and these problems are not a result of you and do not define you. You don't have to live up to societies happy-go-lucky holiday standards. You are valued and loved as a human regardless of those you're forced to be surrounded by.
And if you're lucky enough to have a family to call your own, let them know how much you appreciate them.
