Hi Everyone,
As another holiday is coming up in the US soon, I was just wondering how you all felt about holidays in general, or more specifically if you like a certain holidays more than others? Do you get excited about them, depressed or more anxious, or does it feel just like another day of the week and more neutral for you?
What is it that you like best? What is it that you do not like? Any preparations for Father's Day in a few days? What are your expectations for holidays? Can they differ from societal expectations? Do you make lots of plans? Or are you more spontaneous, and prefer being surprised with new things and new ways to celebrate each year?
Personally, as a person with Social Anxiety, and being conditioned growing not to get too up or too down for anything, including for holidays, as we could get yelled at at any moment, or see fights break out, with a mother often being suicidal during such times and all stressed out too, if things were not done her way, and with a father being angry and drunk then, I learned not to find much thrill with any day, much less holidays. I did not have major depression though from holidays, but static milder depression.
I did like tradition though, like for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Growing up my mother tried; I will say that. She would make a big feast for Thanksgiving Day, and we would watch the parades on television and then American football. For Christmas, we had holiday music, watched Christmas kids shows, and got lots of presents. And for Easter the baskets were filled with sweets that we had to find hidden in the home. For these holidays I felt some internal milder joy, but I could not show outward happiness. I could not trust my parents to show that.
Any other holiday I admit I did not have any happiness at all. I then with my parents did not look forward to my birthday, Mother's Day or Father's Day, as the attention would be on me or my parents, but I would be kind and get gifts for my parents on their days, that I felt each would like and wanting to please them, despite being upset at each for many things. I felt like I did not deserve gifts growing up because of very low self-esteem, so focused on giving. I worried Holidays was making us poorer, so I hoped I would not get much.
I always appreciated holidays for those who sacrificed or who died. I always had lots of empathy for those who gave their all, and for those who are no longer here, regardless if they were perfect in life, as they could have been products of their genes or environments, too. I always wished there were a general holiday for all those who feel special and different, including those too with any condition, whether physical or mental. I see no general holidays for people like that. There should be no person singled out, or no focus just on any one group.
Those are just my experiences and beliefs. Only answer what you can. If it causes too much stress answering all, just pick one point or two to share your views. Our two children are Autistic, so I was just curious how you all felt. I am also trying to enjoy holidays more with my current family. Thanks.
As another holiday is coming up in the US soon, I was just wondering how you all felt about holidays in general, or more specifically if you like a certain holidays more than others? Do you get excited about them, depressed or more anxious, or does it feel just like another day of the week and more neutral for you?
What is it that you like best? What is it that you do not like? Any preparations for Father's Day in a few days? What are your expectations for holidays? Can they differ from societal expectations? Do you make lots of plans? Or are you more spontaneous, and prefer being surprised with new things and new ways to celebrate each year?
Personally, as a person with Social Anxiety, and being conditioned growing not to get too up or too down for anything, including for holidays, as we could get yelled at at any moment, or see fights break out, with a mother often being suicidal during such times and all stressed out too, if things were not done her way, and with a father being angry and drunk then, I learned not to find much thrill with any day, much less holidays. I did not have major depression though from holidays, but static milder depression.
I did like tradition though, like for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Growing up my mother tried; I will say that. She would make a big feast for Thanksgiving Day, and we would watch the parades on television and then American football. For Christmas, we had holiday music, watched Christmas kids shows, and got lots of presents. And for Easter the baskets were filled with sweets that we had to find hidden in the home. For these holidays I felt some internal milder joy, but I could not show outward happiness. I could not trust my parents to show that.
Any other holiday I admit I did not have any happiness at all. I then with my parents did not look forward to my birthday, Mother's Day or Father's Day, as the attention would be on me or my parents, but I would be kind and get gifts for my parents on their days, that I felt each would like and wanting to please them, despite being upset at each for many things. I felt like I did not deserve gifts growing up because of very low self-esteem, so focused on giving. I worried Holidays was making us poorer, so I hoped I would not get much.
I always appreciated holidays for those who sacrificed or who died. I always had lots of empathy for those who gave their all, and for those who are no longer here, regardless if they were perfect in life, as they could have been products of their genes or environments, too. I always wished there were a general holiday for all those who feel special and different, including those too with any condition, whether physical or mental. I see no general holidays for people like that. There should be no person singled out, or no focus just on any one group.
Those are just my experiences and beliefs. Only answer what you can. If it causes too much stress answering all, just pick one point or two to share your views. Our two children are Autistic, so I was just curious how you all felt. I am also trying to enjoy holidays more with my current family. Thanks.
Last edited:
