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 Christmas will Pretend Happy this day

Xmas is a time of Joy or at least it should be. If you’re like me, I’ve missed out on so many wonderful moments because of my depression. So this year I’m putting my foot down. No more lost moments, no more lost joy. Bring on the  cheer. Christmas will Pretend Happy this day. “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” ― Kurt Vonnegut.

Christmas will Pretend Happy this day

Christmas will Pretend Happy this day

This may not sound so exciting to you now. But before you know it. You’ll feel a little spark of real happiness. Even if it’s just fleeting, its REAL, and that’s what counts.

I’m not going to tell you to “fake it till you make it” here – but the idea is similar. Sometimes working on the smaller things from the outside in works very well. I know well how unhappiness can make  you feel not capable of doing something. Your psychological state of mind  will tell you that you can’t do it right now. Need to visit a friend? Low energy will tell you that you can’t handle it right now. Well, I’m telling you that you can, so for one day (and longer if you like) tell your depression what you can and can’t do.

Christmas will Pretend Happy this day everyday

How do I even start with this?

  • Start by doing something small every day

There’s always a lot to do, and the nagging at the back of your mind can add to you feeling even more overwhelmed. Even if you don’t have a long list of to-do’s, choose something that will make you feel much better about your day and then try to do it every day.

Christmas pretend happy

Yes, you might have to push yourself a little bit, and you probably won’t enjoy going against the negative pull of depression but you will feel good about getting it done. For example, if you want to (or have to) clean you room, start by just making the bed. The idea here is to take back control of your own actions and that will help you feel a little more capable in all the other things.

Christmas will Pretend Happy this day

  • There’s no need to fake a smile

Fake smiles are awkward. Most people can sense when it’s the real thing or not, so skip that bad advice and try something different – simply try not to think about the negative things first, just enjoy your day for what it is. I’m not asking you to jump on the positivity train, though, I’m just asking you to stay on the station for a while. Don’t get on either train.

Christmas will Pretend Happy this day

  • Eat well and drink lots of water

This might be a tough one. There’s no time like Christmas. For delicious foods and smells that fill the whole home. Of course you should enjoy the foods, but try to steer clear of overdoing sugary treats. Keep a glass of water with you at all times. Eating well can help you feel less weighed down and give you a bit more energy. To fight your Christmas depression.

  • Sleep well

Let your body rest as much as it needs, if you can. This will give you the strength you need to be present during the Christmas time.

  •  Expect nothing and accept who you are 

” Expect nothing and accept who you are”

I’ve spent a lot of my time fighting who I am and what I feel because it’s the only way to “get over it”, but is it? By accepting that you’re not like some of the more naturally joyful people in your life you take a lot of the pressure off of you to perform to their liking. Sometimes that pressure alone can be a big part of depression.

Christmas will Pretend Happy this day

So, for Christmas this year, pretend to be happy by letting go of the unnecessary negative things that weigh you down and just enjoy the moment. Smile if you can, laugh if you want to and don’t worry about what your friends and family think of you if you don’t.

Remember that because of what you’re experiencing with depression, you can grow and become more empathetic and compassionate. In a sense, you understand the Christmas cheer better than anyone else already, you just can’t always show it.

Remember this wise quote from Paul H Dunn: “happiness is a journey and not a destination; happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it’s too late. The time for happiness is today, not tomorrow.”

[bctt tweet=”The time for happiness is today, not tomorrow.” Paul H Dunn”]

Sometimes that means we have to choose to be happy and not wait for it to be so. Many happy people are not happy by circumstance, they are happy because they’ve chosen not to be unhappy. So this Christmas, do what you can, and there’s no need to push yourself too far, but do try to push yourself just a little bit. You’ll be grateful you did when you rise to the occasion.