There is Christmas music everywhere you go, twinkling lights, malls decorated to perfection and the smell of Christmas trees, but for some reason, you are unhappy. You scoff at the upbeat Christmas music on the phone when you're on hold with Rite Aid, and it seems like a daunting task to decorate the nine foot tall Christmas tree in your living room. I may sound pretty Scrooge-like right now, but the truth is, the holidays are not an easy season for everyone.

We power through the first 11 months of the year over-booked, over-stressed and all but barely holding it together. Yet, somehow, some Christmas lights and presents are supposed to make it all better? It is exhausting trying to be merry when you feel completely drained. It is undeniable that we live in a world that is very appearance-based. We put our prettiest faces and brightest moments on Facebook and Instagram, assuring our followers that yes, we are doing very well, thank you. Look at your Facebook feed now. Besides political rants or memes of Donald Trump's hair, I'm sure you'll find countless Christmas trees, tacky sweater party pictures, Christmas decorations and smiling faces at holiday parties. I am going to be the unpopular voice among the merry and bright, and admit that this season is not always happy. We remember and miss loved ones whom we have lost, we wish we had more time to decorate, more money to buy better presents, we think about past relationships and we curse ourselves for not being as happy as so-and-so on Facebook.

To those who grieve, this is for you. Whether it is a lost loved one, the end of a friendship, a big life transition or the end of a relationship, this is for those of you who long for something lost and hope for something better.

Holidays are milestones of another year, another important time or maybe the first important time without your loved one.

You wonder why that one friend seems to hate you and you mourn that lost friendship.

You have a neat plan mapped out for your life, but something comes along the way and changes your plan. You switch majors, career paths, schools even, and don't know where to turn next.

You miss that special someone who you thought you would be sharing the holidays with.

These feelings only seem to be amplified with what some people describe as: "The best time of the year!" This article is a gentle reminder that it is perfectly fine to be exactly where you are in your grief. No matter how many times you listen to the Mariah Carey version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," you still can't seem to get in the "Christmas spirit" that everyone else so joyfully proclaims, and that is OK.

While I may sound like the Grinch, I promise that I do really like Christmas. I love shopping for Christmas presents for my family (once I finally save up some babysitting money!), the Candlelight Christmas Eve service at my church, the excitement of Christmas morning and the sweet family time celebrating together. However, after what was a very draining semester both personally and academically, I'm not exactly feeling like Buddy the elf at the moment.

To those who grieve, you are not obligated to feel cheery this holiday season. However, I hope that you do find happiness, in your own time. I hope you have friends and family who are supportive of you during the difficult seasons of life. I hope you know how loved you are and that it is OK to feel grief, even during what is to some, the happiest time of the year.

So let's raise a glass to a prospect brighter than any Christmas lights -- the start of a new year. My wish for you and me is that with 2016 will come a fresh start, healing, hope and possibility.