Thank you for showing the often overlooked, pensive and elegiac flipside of the Christmas celebrations.
Both in the sense that we need all that cheer to set aside the hardships and pressures,
and that sometimes we can't make that temporary transition, and get stuck feeling those blues
while all around us, the celebrations are uproariously unfolding with their sing and dance.

So it's good to acknowledge and assert, with toasts and proclamations, that the Yuletide isn't vacuous fun,
and neither should we be losing ourselves in resentment for the cheer while stewing in our pains and labors.
There is a time for unbridled merriment, and a time for sobering self-reflection.

We keep them both in our heart, but we try to celebrate our togetherness and synchronize our periods of happiness
for these holidays.

That's so hard where I work. I work at a library and for most of our regular visitors that's the only social contact they get. Certainly the only safe place and safe social contact they get if they're living on the streets.

We have no christmas decorations up (Australian public sector is liek that) which helps and hinders. It helps because we're not rubbing christmas in the faces of all the lonely people...it hinders because we're not including them in the christmas stuff either.

In recent years and especially since Covid I have really grown to like being able to work over the holiday period and give some sense of normalcy to our regulars. Even if it is just a familiar face and someone who recognizes and knows them. It's a pretty difficult time of the year, all things considered.

Thank you, it was very enlightening to hear out your experience!
Celebrating Christmas Down Under must be extra peculiar with the winter and summer being upside down,
compared to its country of origin... but then, the European Christmas has little in common with the early
Christian celebrations, anyway.

It is highly admirable of you to prioritize the well-being of your visitors like that.
These are dark times, indeed, and it makes it all feel a little better to know
there are selfless people like you out there helping out those in need!

Personally, I prefer to spend my end of the year holidays alone, and although I care little
for the rites and the cuisine of the season, but it makes me happy to see other people enjoy themselves.
It is different for everyone, like you said.

What is occupational therapy?

doing simple tasks to fill up your days and keep you busy to avoid falling into depression.

That definitely sounds accurate. Although, that sounds more likely to fit everyday tasks than just on holidays like Christmas.

Sweet sweet Saturnalia.

did not like it being called out

'w'? *thinking* No no, they have a point...

...did they crush his fragile but precious spirit?

party party party

(- _ -) l'expression du visage est parfaite, bravo ^v^

je me suis inspiré d'enluminures médiévales