LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) -The holiday season often presents a contrast between the joy displayed on social media and the reality many people experience privately. While online platforms showcase celebrations and gatherings, not everyone feels the same festive spirit.
Dr. Nicole Noble, a licensed professional counselor with TTUHSC Life Behavioral Health Clinic, says the holidays can feel particularly challenging when personal circumstances don’t match societal expectations.
The season affects people differently, and underlying stressors like financial pressure, complicated family relationships, or loneliness can intensify during this time of year.
“I think our expectations during the holidays are that everyone is having tons of fulfillment and their interactions they feel really connected and a sense of belonging,” Noble said. “Rather somebody is having those encounters with people in their lives that doesn’t necessarily mean they feel a sense of fulfillment.”
The gap between online portrayals and personal experiences can lead to harmful comparisons. Some people feel isolated when they see families celebrating while they may be dealing with addiction, domestic violence, relationship problems, or spending holidays alone.
Noble emphasizes that much of the holiday pressure stems from internal expectations, particularly regarding family interactions.
“Clearly indicating your vision of what your holiday looks like with your loved ones can be helpful,” she said.
Establishing boundaries doesn’t mean excluding people, Noble explains. Instead, it involves understanding personal limits and respecting emotional capacity during potentially stressful situations.
For those feeling overwhelmed, Noble stresses that seeking support demonstrates strength rather than weakness.
“Asking for help is a normal thing and we should all be vulnerable at times there is an act of vulnerability asking for help but recognizing we don’t have all the answers,” Noble said. “Nobody has all the answers but there is support available.”
Noble advocates for self-compassion as an essential tool during the holidays. She encourages people to accept that struggling is normal and that reaching out for professional help before reaching a crisis point is both healthy and wise.
The act of sharing personal burdens often reveals that others face similar challenges, reducing the sense of isolation that can accompany holiday stress.
Recognition that holiday experiences vary widely can help people approach the season with more realistic expectations and greater kindness toward themselves and others.
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