I Wish You A Gentle Holiday
A message for those struggling this holiday season
To everyone reading this,
I want to wish you a happy holiday. But I promise, I won’t bother you with any of that annoying fake cheeriness. I know you don’t feel like hearing that. Trust me, neither do I.
No, I’ll keep it real with you.
You’re probably not in the mood to hear people telling you to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Most of us are just not in the holiday spirit this year, and probably haven’t been for at least a few years.
There are countless reasons right now to not feel like celebrating. Many of us are grieving loved ones we’ve lost. Some who have died. Others who are still alive that we’ve lost relationships with for some reason or another. Costs of living have skyrocketed. It’s getting increasingly expensive just to live day to day. Our government is full of monsters. Chaos and hate are being inflicted everywhere. Many people are afraid for their lives. And the list goes on.
It’s no secret that the world is currently a hot mess express.
But even with all the doom and gloom in the world, the holidays can still be good. Sure, this year the holidays look different. It doesn’t have as much of the usual flair. And there’s (a lot) less material stuff involved.
And that’s okay.
You are not failing at the holidays just because you’re not celebrating the same way you would’ve in the past. Who cares if you’re not buying as many gifts or cooking as big of a feast? So what if you don’t have the energy right now to go to parties or carry out all the holiday traditions you used to? You’re doing your best, and you’re doing an amazing job!
To be honest, I think that letting go of the extensive (and harsh) materialism that has surrounded the holiday season for so long is a good thing. From what I’ve seen, stripping away all that excess clutter and fluff (both physical and psychological) is actually bringing us more ease and clarity, not just around the holiday season, but life in general.
And the final scene from How The Grinch Stole Christmas illustrated it so well:
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags…
Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
All this peeling away of old layers is lifting a long-held burden of impossible expectations off our shoulders. But ultimately, it’s also helping us remember what the reason for the season truly is: Love.
Not to get religious, but Jesus quite literally preached love, and that we all should love one another. So it only makes sense to honor and embody His message when celebrating His birth.
All in all, love is what makes life worth living, and love is what’s going to get us through these dark times.
So remember to spread love and find joy, now and always, wherever and however you can. Whether it’s in the colorful lights on homes, a bit of chocolate, or time spent with loved ones, savor it. Even the smallest source of joy makes a big impact, especially now, because the world needs it more than ever.
And no matter what your holiday looks like this year, I hope your holidays are still bright, beautiful, and full of love. And moreover, I hope it’s gentle.
*
Thanks so much for reading! If you enjoyed this message, I’d appreciate it so much if you shared it with someone who may need it. Happy Holidays!
About the Creator
Jaye Ruggiero-Cash
Writer | Poet | Musician | Actor | Model
Lover of all things arts
Gluten-Free Foodie
"When we are shaped by the sounds and shades of truth, the colors never fade."
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I never imagined that a single day could feel like the heaviest weight in the world. It wasn’t the kind of day that sneaks up on you; it’s the kind that hits you like a storm you weren’t prepared for. From the moment I opened my eyes, something inside me knew that this day would be different. I didn’t know yet how different, or how much it would change me forever. The morning began quietly, deceptively calm. I went through the motions—brushing my teeth, making a cup of tea, scrolling through my phone—but my heart felt heavier than usual. Small failures from the past week clung to me like shadows. A failed exam, an argument with a friend, a project that didn’t turn out the way I hoped—it all piled on top of me, brick by brick. By the time I left the house, the weight of disappointment already made my chest ache. Then the real storm hit. I tried to hold it together, tried to keep walking forward, but everything seemed to fall apart at once. 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📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
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Comments (2)
❤️💚❤️💚❤️
The world is a mess, and lots of people are having a hard time, but thank you for sharing your light with us