03/08/2026
Holidays are complicated for some. As they’re connected deeply to our social rituals and values, they can bring up years of memories, of what happened, what we did.
For some, holidays represent what’s good in our lives – warmth, comfort, connection. For others, holidays can be triggers of past traumatic experiences – when things fell apart, when hope was crushed. For people with trauma in their stories, holidays can feel like a movie-replay of things that went too wrong, making holidays the most difficult days of the year.
Whether we’re triggered by holidays or have a loved one who is, exercising sensitivity and empathy during this time is a gift we can offer ourselves and those we care about.
