"Harry* dreaded the weeks leading up to Christmas. He felt overwhelmed by the cacophony of carols, decorations and well-wishes from strangers. But moreover, he anxiously awaited the inevitable question: what are your plans for Christmas? In the midst of a loneliness epidemic, it's no surprise Christmas is a challenging time for many. The heavy focus on family events and relationships can compound feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially for people experiencing complex family dynamics or estrangement, bereavement, empty-nesting or separation and divorce."
"Harry's distress was deepened by a colleague's month-long commentary about Christmas. Her complaints a hectic social calendar, kids' end-of-year school activities, competing Christmas Day lunch invitations, the expense of dozens of gifts served as a reminder that for Harry that Christmas was typified not by togetherness and cheer but isolation and sadness. His reticence around Christmas was understandable. Childhood Christmases were tense and miserly, owing to his parents' marital discord, financial strain and geographical distance from extended family."
Harry feels overwhelmed by seasonal decorations, carols and strangers' well-wishes and anxiously anticipates questions about Christmas plans. The focus on family events amplifies loneliness for those facing estrangement, bereavement, empty-nesting or separation. Cost-of-living pressures and year-end work stress add to the burden. A colleague's repeated complaints about hectic social calendars and gift expenses reminded Harry that his Christmas experience is isolation rather than cheer. Childhood tensions, parental discord, financial strain and geographic distance fostered yearly retreat. University friendships provided respite temporarily, but adulthood brought increasing solitude as peers formed family traditions. The loneliness also appears on other significant dates.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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