[ACrystalGem]

Christmas is the anniversary of a few of the worst abusive incidents I remember. I hate the pressure of 'Coming together as a family' that gets thrust into my face with all the cheery, happy family media. I ache so much that I'm alone, not just at Christmas, but year-round.

My Heavenly Father is the only family I have, and I can't exactly sit down with him for a turkey/tofu dinner...

I'm staying with a friend this year, but it's not the same. I wish I didn't keep wanting things that were a facade at the best of times, and a damn lie at the worst. Christmas & Birthdays didn't mean an amnesty on physical or sexual abuse - it sometimes got worse at those times of year. I want for things to be different. I know I can't go back and change things, but I want for non-survivors to realise how difficult it can be for us at Christmas.

[zoiecat]

Hugs to you. I don't have time for a long response right now but I did want to let you know that I totally share your feelings. My last therapy session was all about this same topic. I absolutely hate Christmas and the holidays Christmas music makes me cry and all of the media hype and the commercials and the tv specials and the ads and the decorations the perfect family just makes me feel and so inferior and brings me back to childhood which was miserable. I would be very interested in how others deal with this because my therapist did not give me answers that I felt were helpful.

[CalamityJane425]

Hello,
Christmas is a tough time of year.
Best I can suggest is that you really care for yourself as if your
dealing with a flu.
What I mean is:

1.)Stay in your pajamas all day
2.)Take a warm blanket out of the dryer then wrap it around yourself - and this was suggested to me by a former therapist & it helps.
3.)Watch what YOU like, whatever your favorite shows are then watch them. I would suggest to stock up or order some DVDs so you don't watch the crap on TV.
4.) Make sure to get enough to eat

So be your own nurturer .

[candidpets]

i always wish we had 2 halloweens and xmas was halloween again