Minding Yourself this Christmas.

Hey hey hey hey I'm back with a tiny post! Missed you ;)

Christmas time really is the most wonderful time of the year. Family, friends, music, food, presents, food, prosecco, trees, food. Food. 

It can also be a very difficult time of year for some. Although I have seen numerous posts across social media regarding mental health this time of year (which is always great to see) I’ve decided to write a lil sum’n about it. * Please bear in mind this is all my personal views and experiences and it’s totally okay to disagree or have different views than me, infact I’d love to hear them!

I believe I’ve really found the key to what is so difficult about this time of year. There is a huge, undeniable pressure. Pressure to be happy, to see friends and family, to be joyous and comfortable being around people. Pressure to not let anyone see you down; to not ruin Christmas for other people by not being able to get out of bed or not being able to eat or not being up for singing Christmas songs and going to the pub, not being able to do ‘simple’ things that are expected of us at Christmas time. This immense pressure to be in brilliant form (because how could you not be!????!!!!1111!//??!11:) can lead to huge struggles with ones mental health. 

My advice to anyone who is going to be around someone that finds this time of year a bit difficult is:

-Remind them that it’s 100% absolutely okay not to feel okay.

-Have a relaxed attitude towards this time of year. Obviously you can be excited, but try not to throw too much high energy around them.

-Encourage them to join you in festivities!

-Try (And believe me, I know it’s hard) to not be angry with them. I promise, it’s not their fault. Something you could find easy someone else could find extremely hard. 

-Love them.  

And for those struggling this time of year themselves,  not just with Christmas, but with the pressure of being ‘good’ for the new year etc,

 I feel you.

 I’m with you. 

You are not alone and you have people that love you. 

Personally, Christmas is quite a strange time of year for me. I love it, I always have. But unfortunately I do feel this pressure. As soon as it gets close, the cold, clammy hands, the racing heart, the dizziness, the hunger everything comes in small doses. Even as I write this, my chest is sore to touch because my breathing has been so bad the past few weeks. But I’m focusing on the good. The ‘Most Wonderful Time Of the Year’ and the love. 2 years ago the pressure to be ‘okay’ on Christmas Day caused the worst panic attack I ever had. Because of this memory, Christmas does produce some anxiety and depressive thoughts for me.  But Once again, I choose to focus how far I’ve come since then. I try to put my energy in to something that matters; Fuck anxitey. ppffffttttttt.

My sister told me today while wrapping presents that her friends had asked her who she was proudest of. She told them she said her big sister because she was so strong and was able to push through difficult times. That’s what inspired me to write this. There are so many people who love you and are so proud of you, even if they don’t show it enough. You will get better believe me, if I can do it, you can. 

Take care of yourself. Mind yourself. Drink tea, no coffee. Don’t go mad with alcohol. Eat, lots. Stay warm. Sing and dance even if you don’t feel like it. Appreciate family and friends. Don’t go to that party if you’d rather stay in and watch a movie. 

ANYWHO thats all I have for this entry in to the soppiest blog in the history of time. Hoping you have a happy and safe Christmas, Holidays, New year, Whats ever you celebrate. 

Aoife x