When I was a child, Christmas felt like the most magical time of the year. Perfectly spaced between my birthday and Easter, it was just long enough between holidays to build up a true sense of anticipation. We celebrated every year with family and friends and there was always something for me under the tree.
Now that I'm grown I've realised that while Christmas felt that way for me, it isn't so magical for a lot of people. When I was first faced with this reality I felt unnerved: how could Christmas not be something to look forward to? After doing some personal reflection and listening to the stories of those people who do not love Christmas, I have realised that I have a certain privilege in that the holiday season is one of happiness for me.
For many people Christmas is a hollow reminder that there is someone missing from the table, and no matter whether it's the first year or the 50th — that chair will always remain empty.
Others may be estranged from their loved ones, unable to come together due to differences in location or perhaps in opinion.
Others still may want to give their families all the gifts and wonderfully festive food in the world, but aren't able to afford these things. There is a pressure from society to celebrate the holidays in the 'right way', and that way is very often expensive.
We are supposed to be happy during the holiday season, we are meant to sing along to Michael Bublé, spend an exorbitant amount of money on gifts and think of nothing other than sugar plums and reindeer.
The reality is though, that Christmas is just like any other time of year and there are people who are suffering. Suffering from grief, heartbreak, poverty — the magic of December won't change that for people, and to assume that it might is to take away from the importance of those issues.
"December does not exist in some magical space where our struggles cannot find us."
No matter how uncomfortable it might make us, it is an important truth to remember, not only for those around us but for ourselves. Coming to the realisation that Christmas is hard for many people has not only helped me to empathise with those around me, but it's also allowed me to better understand myself. December does not exist in some magical space where our struggles cannot