Trauma Support Community Check In: Thursday-Friday 24-25 December

Hello all, happy holidays to those who participate in festivities at this time of year.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the holiday season. For me it used to be a very terrible time full of re-traumatization through family dysfunction and various other un-fun things. I've been thinking lately of the idea of new tradition, new beginnings, and how to rebrand the holidays. Perhaps this means new types of activities like crafts. Maybe it means having a core group of people that you spend time with. Maybe it means getting back in touch with holiday cheer. Maybe it means getting yourself a present. Maybe it means re-evaluating your relationship with food and cooking. Maybe it means practising gratitude, joy, and charity. Maybe it means singing your favourite holiday tunes in the face of haters, or rewatching holiday specials from when we were kids and maybe allowing ourselves to feel childish for a day. Maybe it means playing in the snow and taking in nature's beauty.

How do you feel toward the holiday season in your present state or how have you felt in the past?

Is the idea of rebranding the holidays interesting to you?

In what way would you like to (or have you) "reclaim" the holiday season, what part would be the most beneficial to you?

For me, I always loved the idea of giving, and having people who I trusted to be around. Unfortunately for many years I never had that. I am now in the process of trying to make new traditions for myself, trying to create new memories, and trying to reconnect with the idea of joy and wonder that this time is supposed to bring. Also, chocolate is amazing at this time of year. Gotta look for them positives even when everything else is horrible.

If you would like to skip the holiday talk today, for sure, feel free to share how you're feeling today and check in like normal <3

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