Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Not so holly and jolly
Take care of yourself this Christmas.
There is often a wide gap between the world as it is presented to us, and then the actual world we live in. You feel it particularly at this time of year. Come November we are suddenly bombarded with images of Christmas and the pressure is on to get to the shops. The towns are filled with bright lights which just seem somehow to make the dull streets feel more special. The supermarkets begin their torrent of advertisements showing happy families sitting down to a turkey from Tesco, or party treats from Iceland. Christmas cards display iconic images of a traditional Christmas with Santas, stockings, carol singers and snow.
And yet last year, as I forced myself to make the trip around the shops on Grafton Street, I noticed the party revellers spilling out on the street, merry in their festive cheer. I forced my eyes over to the right of them, where I saw men sitting on doorsteps, clearly homeless. It was freezing, they were hungry and their eyes told stories I couldn’t even begin to comprehend. They were hanging around the party people in the hope of a bit of spare change. They hadn’t even noticed these men, or, if they did they chose to not let it interfere with their merry cheer.
Christmas as seen through the eyes of the glossy consumerist vision and then our actual experiences of the season of goodwill can be worlds apart. In our society the utter bombardment of advertisements on TV for expensive toys continues even when this year saw the number of family home repossessions hit a record high. In our current economic climate many families will have to mask their money worries, such is the pressure of providing material proof of love and affection. Other social problems cannot be whitewashed away with the so-called Christmas cheer. According to Women’s Aid, Christmas triggers more frequent and severe abuse in the homes of women who experience domestic violence. Statistically somebody you know will be spending this Christmas in fear of domestic violence.
Alcohol and drug abuse in the home can be exaggerated at this time of year: instead of fun and laughter, many young people will experience hurt, guilt, embarrassment and betrayal. At the most extreme, some people will take their life at Christmas time. Stress, isolation and suicide are becoming more serious problems due to the economic crisis. People dealing with bereavement, loneliness and money worries may feel their pain particularly exaggerated at this time.
It’s not to put a ‘dampener’ on Christmas, or to suggest it causes domestic violence, alcohol abuse or suicide- it’s to acknowledge that we often can’t discuss the more hidden parts of our lives when we are supposed to be ‘festive’. It’s to remember that as we are sitting down to our Christmas dinner there will be other families and individuals all alone, potentially next door to you, that will be experiencing pain and despair. If you find yourself in any of the above situations, it may help to talk to somebody. And if your know of someone in any of these tough situations, consider being that caring person for them to talk to.
Spunout provide information on a number of support organisations that you can contact 24 hours a day including Christmas Day. And if you do feel alone: remember you are not. Celebrations such as Christmas magnify all sorts of feelings for everyone, positive and negative, including loneliness. Take care of yourself this Christmas.
By: Annette Carter
