The holidays aren’t filled with joy for everyone. There are many reasons that people might struggle with the holiday season:

Bad memories of prior holidays

Not having a good relationship with your family

Remembering family members who have died

Not having family or friends to spend time with

Balancing feeling left out with needing down time

Increased conflict- what to do for the holidays; differences in political, religious, and social justice issues

Difficulties with boundaries

Gift giving is complicated

Not celebrating mainstream holidays

Feeling marginalized due to lack of recognition of your identities or holidays

Head here if people stress you out or head here if you are experiencing grief.