"Before you read on, I want to acknowledge this: I am privileged. My basic needs are met. I'm not living in a war zone. I have my health. Others are not so lucky. They are in dire situations. I'm not. I recognize my fortunate circumstances, and I carry deep gratitude for my life. Still, when December comes ringing, I carry a quiet melancholy with me too."
"I'm not a Scrooge. It's just that my childhood memories associated with Christmas are, well, less than festive. Besides my good ol' run-of-the-mill mental illnesses, I also have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). I have to double down on not getting down by using my entire arsenal of wellness tools. And I'm still orienting to being divorced and living life out loud. It's been four years since my divorce, but I was with my wuz-band for almost 25 years. It's an adjustment."
"My work entails working part-time at home, alone; performing one-person theatrical keynotes, alone; living alone, and I'm an only child. You can see a common theme. If I don't stay on top of it, I can go days without leaving my apartment, and before I know it, I haven't seen anyone IRL (in real life). Thought I would throw that in to sound cool. Did it work? The very fact I'm asking reflects that I am, most definitely, not cool. Back to my point."
Many people carry quiet melancholy during the holiday season despite material comfort and gratitude. The narrator experiences seasonal affective disorder and other mental illnesses, requiring active use of wellness tools to avoid worsening mood. Longterm relationship ending and four years of divorce create ongoing adjustment while living alone and working in solitary roles increases isolation risk. Allowing and acknowledging feelings reduces their intensity. Social connection functions as relief for winter anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Proactive strategies and agency are emphasized to stay present and prevent prolonged withdrawal from in-person contact.
Read at Psychology Today
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