tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574825601915130714.post3221720893748382084..comments2021-05-16T09:59:55.673-07:00Comments on Aspie from Maine: Internalized Opression -The Problem with Holiday CheerKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04931944728963114472noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574825601915130714.post-49318958577336270842014-12-31T12:36:39.508-08:002014-12-31T12:36:39.508-08:00In the US it seems like you have this run of thing...In the US it seems like you have this run of things (Halloween-Thanksgiving-Hanukkah-Christmas) leading up to the end of the year. That's a lot of pressure to be "externally happy". <br /><br />In Australia, we only have Christmas.<br /><br />Some of our biggest family fights happen on Christmas. The gift exchange process also helps us to find out how well others understand us. Plus of course, there's so many loud noises. It's a tough time. <br /><br />I do believe in that time of year (basically the last week of the year) in which you try to find whatever happiness you can. It's sort of like a "look on the bright side" week for me -- and it's even more important when you've had a difficult year. <br /><br />How can you start a new year if you haven't made peace with the old one?<br /><br />You don't have to be joyful happy, just think through the year, bad as it might be and try to decide what the ten best things were in it. Then, resolve to at least do those things (or something similar again next year), plus more. <br /><br />That thought alone should help you to find a little happiness.Gavin Bollardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13833941398375568706noreply@blogger.com