If you asked one hundred people why holidays should be celebrated and what the entire holiday season really means, you’d get all kinds of different answers. Some people might cite religious reasons, hope for peace on Earth, loving others despite differences, family togetherness, traditions or a bunch of other things. When I was young, the holidays were about getting a tree that my mother insisted on flocking each year, so we had artificial snow crap on an otherwise gorgeous Noble Fir every Christmas. The holidays were about presents, school vacation, big dinners, making a list for Santa and building snowmen in the yard. There’s no right or wrong answer about what the holidays mean. But as I age, one thing becomes more and more clear.

Holidays Can Be Hard

Life is hard, and for some of us, it just keeps getting harder. I actually thought things would be easier as I got older. But as I did, so did my parents. Friends suddenly became old enough for medical issues, some friends passed away. Combined with the topsy-turvy state of our nation, the stress of life can seem a little heavy sometimes, especially if you are one of those people that already struggle to be happy at the holidays.

No matter what the holidays mean to you, consider that they are also annual markers on you making it through. They signify one more year that you fought the fight and kept on pushing. Even if you don’t feel like celebrating with a lot of fanfare, it’s still important to be kind to yourself this holiday. So sleep in a bit more, treat yourself to little splurges. Lose yourself in a new book, adopt a pet, head to the gym for a walk, take some extra long showers and waste some time on purpose with a cup of coffee. Staying sane when everything around you seems a little crazy isn’t always easy and doing it for another year is to be commended.
So go ahead and add ‘time for yourself’ to your holiday to-do list. You deserve it.