"There are school concerts, end-of-year celebrations, work deadlines, family gatherings and the logistical gymnastics to make them work, not to mention gift buying for those who celebrate. On top of all the activity, there can also be internal pressures. Perhaps a sense that you could be doing Christmas better - that the house should be cleaner, that you should be performing better at work, or spending more time with your family. The pressure is subtle, but it can accumulate."
"Contentment is not happiness in a lesser form. Research has found that it is a separate emotion defined by feeling a sense of completeness in the present moment. Cordaro and colleagues (2024) describe contentment as arising when the situation feels whole and enough, rather than needing to be improved or increased. This emotional profile sets it apart from joy, excitement, happiness, cheerfulness or even tranquillity."
Early December often brings many obligations, social events, deadlines and logistical tasks, accompanied by subtle internal pressures about doing more or doing better. That buildup can make the season mentally exhausting and can coexist with feelings of joy and excitement. Constant striving to accumulate, prepare, visit and book can undermine desired emotional states. Contentment is a distinct, low-arousal positive emotion characterized by a present-moment sense of completeness and enough-ness. Contentment differs from joy, excitement, happiness, cheerfulness and tranquillity. Research links contentment with stronger well-being, self-acceptance, a sense of completeness and reduced social comparison.
Read at Psychology Today
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