A Change of Cheer at Christmas
Guest Blog, written by community member – Clare Moller
What happens when your usual festive delights change into something new?
This blog explores a change that isn’t often spoken about – moving from being alone at Christmas to suddenly being with others. More commonly, people struggle with loneliness at Christmas, but returning to company can be just as challenging. Change, no matter what form it takes, can place pressure on our boundaries, our routines and our sense of self.
This piece focuses on:
New beginnings – being in company, with both the benefits and the struggles
Adaptability and change
Mindfulness, acceptance and wellbeing at Christmas
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Christmas
A new beginning, especially a positive one, is often met with happiness and excitement. However, alongside this can come feelings of fear or dread, depending on your mental outlook, habits and overall wellbeing.
Christmas is meant to be a joyful time for everyone, but for those experiencing mental health challenges – and even for those who aren’t – Christmas can feel overwhelming. The pressure, expectations and changes to routine can affect our mental health at Christmas in unexpected ways.
Adapting to a new festive beginning – moving from celebrating and accepting being alone at Christmas for a period of time, to suddenly finding yourself back in the company of others – can be particularly challenging.
Why Change at Christmas Can Feel Challenging
This kind of change can affect your mental health, and you may struggle if:
You usually avoid “dealing” with Christmas, but now feel you have to do so for others
You have ideas about what Christmas should look like and feel distressed that you must follow these expectations, even if they don’t feel right for you
You enjoy celebrating Christmas, but no longer get to celebrate it in the way you would choose
Your normal routines and habits are disrupted, and you don’t have access to your usual coping strategies
You feel forced to see people or do things you don’t want to do at Christmas, taking on others’ expectations and decisions
You find it difficult to set boundaries, have less privacy, and need to share your time and plans with others
However, identifying these challenges to our mental health and wellbeing allows us to begin finding solutions. By recognising what we find difficult, we can make Christmas easier to cope with and more meaningful for ourselves.
Supporting Yourself Through Christmas Change
Some supportive steps include:
Identifying any possible difficulties you may encounter at Christmas. Write them down, along with potential solutions and coping strategies
Reducing stress by planning ahead, helping you stay mindful of your commitments
Making time for yourself. Even when adapting to being around more people at Christmas, your personal time remains important. Do things you enjoy
Seeking support. Ask for help if changes feel overwhelming or too challenging
Practising self-care, including walking, listening to music, meditating or other relaxing activities
Remembering that you can always say no. Your boundaries are yours to set. Embracing change does not mean ignoring what feels right for you
Personal Change, Growth and Acceptance
Personal change at Christmas is a significant journey. It is often motivated by a desire to improve ourselves or our circumstances, and it takes time.
Remember:
Be kind to yourself. Personal change takes effort and patience. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small
Embrace change. Adaptability is key. Change is a natural part of life and can lead to personal growth and new opportunities
Practise mindful acceptance. Accepting that change is right can help ease its impact
About the author: Clare comes to Pause & Breathe and has been involved in our community for the last 5 years. She has an interest in writing and shares her blogs with us regularly. She ends with:
Merry Christmas everyone!
Be mindful. Be kind. Be happy. 🎄✨