For some, the holidays are a magical season filled with joy, togetherness, and festive cheer. But for thisRedditor, it’s been the complete opposite—a time of trauma and dread that has haunted her for decades.For the past 30 years, she’s had just one wish forChristmas: to be left alone. And now, at long last, that wish is finally coming true.
RELATED:
For this woman, the holidays have always been filled with dread
Image credits:astrakanimages / envatoelements (not the actual photo)
So when a nosy coworker kept pestering her about Christmas plans, she decided to tell the truth
Image credits:souvenirpixels / freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits:stockking / freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits:BestMistakesWithYou
Most adults feel stressed during the holiday season
Image credits:lysenko_andrii / freepik (not the actual photo)
Still, that doesn’t stop most people (80%) from describing the holidays as fun, joyous, and exciting. “The holiday season can be both a happy and stressful time of year in part due to expectations to spend time with family and friends, navigate family conflicts and uphold important traditions,” explained Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer.
“At this hectic time of year, it is important that people take care of their mental health, especially in communities whose members feel disproportionately burdened or excluded from what is traditionally considered the holiday season,” he added.
In the context of this story, though, alone time isn’t a harmful escape—it’s a well-deserved break. It just means that the right way to handle negative experiences during the festivities depends on the person and what works best for them.
As Evans noted, “Though the holidays may increase stress levels, they can also be an opportunity. Psychological science tells us that setting aside time to strengthen our relationships and engage in traditions can benefit our physical, mental and emotional well-being, which can prepare us to better manage stress year-round.”
Readers were glad to see the woman was finally getting exactly what she wanted for Christmas
Thanks! Check out the results:You May LikeColleague Wants Woman To Cook Delicious Homemade Lunches For Everyone, Confused, She RefusesDenis Krotovas"It Just… Dawned On Her": Guy Learns A Valuable Lesson After Refusing To Care For NeighborsShelly Fourer
Denis Krotovas
Shelly Fourer
Social Issues
