"One Christmas tradition that has stubbornly refused to leave me? Feeling an existential dread come 3 p.m.-ish on Christmas Day. It was really rough as a kid, and I assumed as an adult, I'd feel it less, but it seems to be stronger than ever. I truly believe that, like when I was a kid, the anticipation and excitement of what is to come completely overtakes my body."
"The holiday crash for moms is too much. I know that once Christmas Day is finished, our Instagram and Facebook feeds are full of influencers complaining about the clutter of the decorations and wanting to wipe the house clean for January, or "funny" reels throwing away festive food and outfits. But look, I think that makes the holiday crash worse. (And remember, influencer life isn't real.)"
"She needs more whimsy, more twinkle lights, more Christmas movies. She needs to sit under a Christmas blanket and eat a Christmas cookie while reading a Christmas book - and nowhere else to be. She needs to enjoy all of the Christmas leftovers without feeling panicked about school spirit days. She needs to take a nap by the Christmas tree without worrying she's going to miss the preschool program. She needs to recite every line of A Christmas Story without wrapping gifts as she watches"
Mothers often experience a pronounced mid-afternoon 'holiday crash' on Christmas Day, producing existential dread even when celebrations are joyful. The responsibility for planning, wrapping, cooking, and orchestrating festivities intensifies exhaustion. Social media images of post-holiday decluttering and influencers discarding festive items amplify feelings of emptiness and make the crash worse. The remedy involves extending the holiday atmosphere: keeping twinkle lights, watching Christmas movies, savoring leftovers, napping beneath the tree, reading seasonal books, and allowing unhurried moments of whimsy. Prioritizing deliberate, low-pressure festive rituals can soothe the post-Christmas letdown and provide restorative comfort for overwhelmed caregivers.
Read at Scary Mommy
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