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
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
My philosophy is do what works for you and do it some more. Namaste
I’m going to take to hear the advice to sleep and do something small each day. Drops of water eventually run into streams and rivers after all! The small things add up.
i love “expect nothing and accept who you are” this is something we all can relate to
I just want to take a break from work and spend time with my family 🙂 Happy holiday!
Awesome advice. It’s hard not to be happy this season with all the blessings that are coming our way!
I like your expect nothing tip. So often we are let down because we anticipate something that may not happen.
A fake smile will turn into a real one when someone smiles back.
Smile and smile often.
Yes, I agree about letting go and enjoying the moment! I also agree that a fake smile is too obvious.
Expect nothing and accept who you are- awesome quote! I need to be sure to get more rest during this time because the holidays keep me busy.
Drinking water and getting enough sleep certainly helps!
Sometimes working on the small things does help. I should be sad this year, but I’m not. Not one bit. I appreciate every single thing I ever took for granted, including Christmas. 🙂
Roses, I am glad your life is going ok…We all have problems but its how we deal with our issues that makes a difference. Have a blessed Christmas.
These are very helpful tips. Keeping yourself busy will make you forget about whatever is bothering you.
MyTeenGuide, Keeping busy helps to distract you for a day but we still need to deal with our problems eventually thanks for your support.
Great article. Great advice. The first step is to take back control in small/baby steps. I’ve learned that your smile might brighten someone else’s day! Smiles are free!
Kirstin N. Fuller, This christmas I will be happy….Taking baby steps is the key and smile more thanks for your support.
I like what you said…YUP put your foot down indeed…all the best for the season
Mardene Carr, This Christmas I will be happy have a blessed Holiday.
Expect nothing and accept who you are says it all doesn’t it? I really hope you have a lovely Christmas – I remember to count my blessings each day. Kaz
ickle Pickle, Thank you for stopping by Have a merry christmas think positive we will be happy
This is a great post. Sometimes you have to take small steps to get to where you want to be. Thank you for this post.
Powerful post with excellent tips provided! Thanks for sharing and please enjoy your holidays.
I think I’m going to have to take exception with Mr. Vonnegut. I don’t think we are what we pretend to be at all. I think there is value in faking it til you make it, but it’s still faking it. In any event, I wish you a lovely holiday!
Patranila,
I understand and I respect your opinion. If pretending to be happy causes a teen or any person for one movement to feel comfortable I am happy. I am not saying pretending is a cure for teenage depression. No, it’s a shift a distraction taking the focus sort of like a mind-shift.
Having a break or a vacation with the family is enough to make me feel happy these holiday season. Thanks for sharing these post.
I once had someone say I smile too much, which to me is sad, it is good to try and find peace and happiness, Merry Christmas!
Ellen, Do not let that one person change your mind ….Keep spreading the cheers..Be happy.
Smiling is good healing for the soul!! The best part about Christmas is that is usually brings out the good in people.
Shantel Collins, Yes, Christmas brings out happy feelings but there are some people who struggle with the blues.
I’ve struggled for a long time with depression as well and I find when I start pretending to be happy it quickly turns into real happiness 🙂
Shaylee, Just finding a way to be happy help ease the sadness.
I just love this quote“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.”
Wonderfully written. There are so many people who are struggling during the holidays. We really should be thankful for what we have.
Bismuth, You are correct we can start now to be grateful of what we have and not look at what we don’t have.
It is so important for us all to unplug, reconnect, and enjoy the moment. Getting fresh air and eating well always helps during stressful times of year as well.
One step at a time is all anybody could ever take. The best thing you can do is get yourself out of the house.
Baby steps. I have to set my big expectations aside and you know, it makes me happier to take what comes. The over prep gets me down. So I do what I can when I want to and it’s so much better that way. Good luck to you.
I’m all about the water! I drink a gallon a day! Crazy how something so simple can help you feel that much better!
I really hope you have a very merry Christmas! You can do it, I know you can!
I hope your Christmas turns out to be wonderful. It’s bad how depression can easily ruin things we use to love.
Robin (Masshole Mommy), Thank you this christmas I will be happy.
I’m going to take some time for myself and reevaluate my new circumstances.
I love your idea of doing a small manageable task every morning to get a sense of accomplishment. Great way to be happy not just during the holiday season but always!
Agree… always be happy and thankful
Thank you so much for this great advice, I don’t like giving a fake smile to everybody. I totally love this post.
I try and not fake anything. I’ve been faking being happy for so long and now that I’ve decided to just be happy it works out so much better for me.
There’s actually scientific evidence that smiling can MAKE you happy (just Google “smiling makes you happy research” and all sorts of info will pop up). So it’s definitely worth a try. Thanks for a timely, heartfelt post, Patrice.
Roxanne Jones, Yes, you are correct about smiling. I tell my friends that all the time….Thanks for your support.
Expectations always lead to problems for ourselves and others. Very good advice, Patrice!
I needed this reminder today. Thank you. More water, more choosing to do happy stuff.
Good for you! This is great advice for those who need it! I love that quote too. I always choose HAPPY and am thankful for that blessing in my life. May you and your readers find it too. Visiting from BlogShareLearn.
WendyShat, Thanks for stopping by glad to hear your story. Love that hat.
Wow, I really needed to read this. I’ve been feeling down today. We spent way too much this holiday and already feel a big hole in my pocket. I keep thinking about my bank balance.
Shiny Maharaja, Don’t let it get you down…Be happy you have your family and health. Have a blessed holiday.
Great post!!
Daily small steps are so important!! I wish for happy holidays to all.
We have to plaster on false smiles for our kids most Christmases. Something always happens on the run up to the big day – family illness, death or theft. I am actually dreading this next week “/
Louise, It’s not a good time for me. The Holiday season is often dread but this Christmas I told my family we will pretend to be happy because it will! Thanks for your support.
There are so many expectations bound up with the Christmas season. It is ok to opt out of the ones that make you unhappy and concentrate on the ones you enjoy.
Teresa Bowen, Great advice, the expectation, pressure and stress of gift giving can make a person feel depressed. It’s the little things I cherish these days and I am lucky to surround myself with others who are equally charitable.
I do believe in fake it til you make it. Pretend to be happy and you will find that you are!
Stephanie, Pretend to be happy works for me. Thanks for your support.
Sometimes if you pretend to be happy you will actually become happier
I appreciate you sharing this with us. I know depression can be a tough fight, but I’m glad to see you taking a stand. Love your tips and how you’re accepting yourself! Merry Christmas!
FabEllis,Teenage Depression it’s a cause dear to my heart a “tough fight as you say but this Christmas I am going to be happy. Merry Christmas!
This is a wonderful post. So many people suffer in silence with depression. It’s a battle, but it can be conquered one day at a time.
We all need to just put more emphasis on what the holiday is truly for. Praising the Lord, spending time with family and sharing love! 🙂
Jamie, Spending time with family is wonderful….There are many teens without families so sad. Thank you for your support.
Love this! Set the intention and the feelings will follow.
You know, I had never thought about diet and water intake to be a precursor to happiness, but I guess when you think about it, if you eat crappy you feel crappy and that gives you a crappy attitude. It’s amazing how when things come full circle, the little things make a big difference!
Self-acceptance is probably the single most important thing I learned on the road to conquering depression – that and self-compassion, where you recognize that you deserve love in any moment, no matter how low you feel. This is such powerful advice, wrapped up in such a beautifully written post. Thank you for sharing this and inspiring people to live happier, more fulfilling lives. That’s what I aim to do every single day, too!
Michael Noker, Welcome, glad you got a chance to read my blog post. When we learn to accept ourselves others will be less likely to misuse us. Self-acceptance is not easy … forgiving yourself is the start to release the hurt. (Looks like you are on your way) Motto smile more can’t hurt anyone thanks for your support.
I think a lot of people struggle to be happy at Christmas time. I don’t suffer from depression and it’s not my favorite time of year at all. I do all of the expected things, but I’m just counting down until it can all be over and I can get on with my life. #weekendblogshare
I totally feel you on the holiday sadness, but I think it’s wonderful you’re choosing to be happy this year! We can all do with a little more joy in our lives, so why not, right? 🙂 Wishing you the happiest holiday yet!
How lovely! Reminds me a bit of my post-election strategy (I live in the Land Where Trump Was Actually Elected President). I am super extra nice to EVERYONE. Even people who aren’t nice to me first. I open doors, I smile, I offer seats on the bus. It feels really really good. Oh, I found you on #weekendblogshare Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Patrice,
I see your community loved your post! So glad!
Thanks for bringing your post to the Blogger’s Pit Stop last week.
Janice
Thanks Janice for your support.