6 hard truths to swallow over this festive holiday season

 

For millions across the world, Christmas and New Year are a time of celebration with friends and family. People take breaks from their daily routines to relax, travel or just chill out at home to take in the festivities.

But underneath the merry making, the smiling and happy holiday wishes lie hearts that are struggling with one thing or another. It could be trauma, grief, loneliness, betrayal, stress or some other unexplainable struggles yet to be made public to friends and family. And this is all okay, not everyone is expected to smile and bandwagon with merry makers.

However, there are some people who take this time to rain on other people’s parades because of what they are personally and privately going through. It could be intentional or subconsciously- forcing those around them to walk on egg shells to protect their sanity. And its okay to accommodate such people up to a point but here are some hard truths they must swallow over this holiday season:

1. Everyone deals with loneliness. Not everyone will want you around at particular times and they do not have to give you reasons why they did not invite you over. Their parties/houses, their invites.
2. Grief is hard, we commiserate and empathize with you. But don’t make everyone else around you uncomfortable for still having their family present/alive just because yours is gone. Life must go on. There is a time and place for everything including grieving- which ideally shouldn’t be done at Christmas or New Year parties where people come to make merry.
3. No one owes you a good time financially if you are an adult. Not your lover, not your mother and certainly not your friends. Don’t be jealous if other people are spending on each other and no one is spending on you. They probably have a give and take agreement. If you take that loan to party with them, don’t expect anyone to help you pay it off down the road. You are on your own.
4. Not all people want to celebrate. If you want to do so, do it for yourself, don’t expect your family, lover or friends to accommodate your celebratory spirit. Don’t cause tension when you see other people hosting great parties and nothing is happening on your end. It is okay to Netflix and chill as a private celebration. Don’t stress yourself out trying to keep up with others.
5. You will get fat if you overindulge on the food and drinks. And when your friends decide to become gym buddies excluding you, don’t blame them. They did not help you eat at their parties.
6. By the end of the year, many people will be celebrating great wins in their lives. You may not have anything to celebrate or match to theirs. Don’t compare yourself to them because they don’t even consider you as someone to compare with. They are busy focusing on their own growth and probably don’t have the time to give you a helping hand up.

BY NAIROBI NEWS