Struggling at Christmas: When the holidays feel Hard

Christmas and the period leading into the New Year can be a deeply difficult time. While it’s often spoken about as a season of connection and celebration, many people experience it very differently.

You may feel more alone, more exposed, or more aware of what feels missing. Old memories can surface. Family dynamics can become more intense. The pressure to appear cheerful or grateful can add to the strain when, inside, things feel heavy or exhausting.

For some people, this time of year brings thoughts about wanting to escape, to disappear, or not to be here at all. These thoughts can feel frightening or isolating, particularly if you’re used to managing on your own or keeping things to yourself. They often reflect how much you’ve been carrying, rather than something you’ve chosen or wanted.

If this is where you find yourself, it can help to take things moment by moment rather than struggling through Christmas or the New Year as a whole. That might mean giving yourself permission to step back from situations that feel too much, keeping things simpler than usual, or finding small pockets of quiet where you don’t have to perform or explain yourself. There is no right way to get through this time.

Talking to someone who can listen and stay alongside what you’re experiencing can help, whether that’s a trusted person, a therapist, or a support service. For some, having a regular place to speak openly can make this time feel a little less isolating. For others, simply knowing that support exists can matter.

If at any point you feel at risk of acting on thoughts about harming yourself, it’s important to reach out for immediate help:

Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123

In an emergency, call 999

You can also go to A&E if you need urgent support

However things feel for you at the moment, there is no right way to move through this time. Taking things step by step, keeping yourself as safe as you can, and allowing life to be quieter or simpler for now is a valid response.

Sometimes, getting through is enough.