To hate the Holiday season doesn’t make you weird.

Sometimes, life is just not great. Sometimes, storms hit, and you are not in the mood to celebrate. That is life. It happens, and you can’t control when it happens.

The «most wonderful time of year» is often a cognitive minefield. If you’re feeling more drained than jolly, you’re not alone—roughly 64% of people report experiencing the holiday blues. This isn’t a character flaw; it’s a psychological response to intense social, financial, and emotional pressure.

Rewiring the Holiday «Shoulds»

Our brains often get stuck in cognitive distortions—negative thinking patterns that make the season feel heavier than it is.

• Challenge «All-or-Nothing» Thinking: You don’t have to «love» the holidays to survive them. It’s okay to feel «fine» or even just «neutral».
• Reality Check Your Feed: Instagram isn’t reality. Those «perfect» family photos often hide the same stress you’re feeling behind the scenes.

Disliking the holiday season is not that strange. More people feel that way than you even think. It does not mean something is wrong with you. It does not mean you are not a social person. The holiday season makes people who are usually lonely and stressed worse. Those feelings are more intense.

Let us just admit that the holidays can be really exhausting.

Your Instagram feeds will be full of happy families celebrating and traveling to exotic places. Then there is all the extra pressure of having a couple, kids and family who are all beautiful and charming.

The pressure of spending time with family members you can’t even tolerate can be very stressful. But dealing with any loss can be even harder. Having to deal with celebrating without them can kick up feelings of grief. During these times, there are so many reminders of what you do not have that it can really make you feel extra lonely

Small Moves for Mental Peace

Try to recognize your holiday triggers and develop strategies to safeguard yourself. It will not make you enjoy the season, but it will help you find peace to navigate it. You do not go from hating the holidays to loving them. Yet, it is possible to mitigate the challenges of the season. Embrace your feelings and sail through the holiday season.

• Set Firm Boundaries: Protect your energy. You have permission to say «no» to events that cause a meltdown.
• Focus on the Basics: Sleep deprivation and overindulgence in food or alcohol can intensify anxiety. Stick to your basic routine where possible.
• The «Pin» Method: You don’t have to solve your life’s problems by December 31st. Tell yourself you’ll revisit deep issues in the new year; for now, focus on the existing.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Sadness and celebration can exist in the same space.

When to Reach Out

The holiday blues are usually temporary, often clearing up within a few weeks. However, if you feel overwhelmed, immediate support is always available:

Mental health professionals get high-demand calls. Clients are experiencing various kinds of crises and often struggle to know how to handle them. Yes, the Holiday season for those going through any mental health issues is a big challenge.

You don’t have to thrive this season. Sometimes, just sailing through is enough. The holiday blues are usually temporary, often clearing up within a few weeks. Yet, if you feel overwhelmed, immediate support is always available: