It's Beginning to Hurt a Lot Like Christmas...

(a note to my fellow Bah Humbugs)

Grief is just love with no place to go. Sending love to everyone who isn't feeling merry and bright because of loss. Also, to those whose toxic family members make this season's hallmark-esque "family family family" goalposts feel like repeated knife jabs in the eye and/or heart.

Even "in recovery" - sometimes we self-medicated because our family was toxic AF and even when we "get clean" there is no family we "get back" because we changed but they didn't. Sometimes we were owed (and are still owed) the apology, even if we were the addict.

Fresh and raw pain from a brand new loss, the kind that can feel torturous and unending - it does subside with time. It's like all the other pain that can be really amped this time of year. It all ends up being part of the strength that carries you.

There are more people who struggle this time of year than who don't, and not just financially.

There is no sacred rule about 25 Dec or any other day - do as much or as little as you want or need to. Fuck obligatory and fuck the cultural push for picturesque festivities - take care of you on your own terms and know you are not alone.