Bittersweet Nothings
The holiday season isn’t always an exhilarating time for everyone. I speak more about my struggles with the holidays in my Loss & Memories post, but here, we are going to talk more about family.
Holidays often bring expectations and pressure for perfection, causing the true spirit of the season to fade. This especially applies to any conflict during the festive seasons. The people we care for should be met with the same understanding and concern we would want from them, but most will imply there is no room for this when at an event. In recognizing the importance of empathy and mutual respect in our interactions, especially during the holidays, we must challenge the notion that understanding should be a one-way street, ultimately allowing the true essence of the season to shine through.
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”
When we hope people better themselves, we shouldn’t have this idea of how we want them to be. We don’t usually expect a child to stay put and be quiet when they are in distress, so we shouldn’t expect adults to hold their feelings in, no matter where they are. I am tired of people expecting me to treat them with understanding and respect when they do not respect or try to be understanding of me. I am told to understand other people’s point of view before mine is even considered.
I hope that someday, my family will see me for all that I am. My mistakes may not define me, but they treat me as if they do. Family should be a source of support for those they wish to keep close, and it’s essential to demonstrate that commitment through consistent effort. Nurturing relationships requires attention, communication, and willingness to understand each other’s needs and challenges. At this point, I wish some of my family would reach out just to say they don’t want me around. I do not say that with the intent to sound depressive, but to bring attention to the neglect that can happen when even family isn’t interested in you enough to make you feel included.
We should never make loved ones feel we can’t make time for them. If you don’t want someone in your life, tell them that, instead of making them feel like it.
