December is full of symbolism: meetings, celebrations, and that expectation of sharing with family or loved ones. But for many people, this month can be a painful reminder of losses, loneliness, or breakups that still hurt. The
images of happiness and togetherness that invade everything do not help much; On the contrary, sometimes they only make us feel that emptiness more strongly.
The first thing I want to tell you is that it is normal to feel sadness, nostalgia or even anger on these dates.
It’s a completely natural reaction when you’re grieving or feeling isolated. The important thing is to validate those emotions: tell yourself that it is okay to miss, feel sad or even be angry about these dates.
Now, validating what we feel doesn’t mean staying stuck there. As the psychiatrist and psychotherapist Anabel González says in her book The good thing about having a bad day: “If the worse we feel, the more and better we take care of ourselves, we will cushion in a very important way the discomfort we have and it will last less time.” In other words, the worse you are, the more you have to take care of yourself.
What can we do to feel a little better?
I share with you some tools that have helped me and that have also helped many other people:
- Ask for help and seek company: Surrounding yourself with people who do you good can be a great relief. If you don’t have anyone around, even going for a walk, doing a group activity, or just talking to someone you trust can help.
- Connect with sadness in a symbolic way: Sometimes it is good to write a letter, light a candle or do a small ritual that connects us with those we miss. This helps channel what we feel and give it space.
- Don’t give it more weight than it has: Many times we stress over Christmas or New Year’s dinner as if it were the most important thing in the world. But when it passes, we realize that it was only a few hours.
- Ask yourself: is it really worth getting so upset about this? Decide where you put the focus: You can choose to focus on what you did achieve this year and on the people who are there to accompany you. You can also let go of the expectations of others and think about what is really good for you.
Where to start?
Don’t wait until January 1 to start looking for your well-being. Do something today, no matter how small. If you feel bad, stop for a moment and ask yourself: What could do me good right now? It can be something as simple as having tea, taking a walk or listening to a song that connects you with yourself.
I hope these words help you navigate December more calmly and, above all, with great care towards yourself.
Networks: @psicolaralevyon
Telephone: 3415198573
Location: Rosario Center
by CEDOC