Stop Struggling with Looking “Holiday Happy”
“Holiday Happy.” Acrylic painting. 36”x”48”. ©Andrea Sutrick
How are you doing? “Fine.” The predictable, don’t-bat-an-eye response that says, “let’s move on.” In a nano-second, we distance ourselves from the discomfort of the holidays. Hands up – Who all feels pressured to “look happy?”
~Or have the uncomfortable laugh?
~Make the side-eye glance up and away?
~Drag along the gift-wrapping motions and the grocery store runs?
~Wear the holiday cheer that packs that punch of just enough crazy to keep folks away or silence others so we can keep on moving?
After helping so many people in the art therapy room, what happens with “looking happy” can have some negative impacts, because over time, we get overwhelmed and feel empty like a Santa zombie, physically drained and moving through the reindeer fog. We are here, but not really here…
With the saying, “All that glitters is not gold”, the bling of the holiday season can wear a disguise that outshines with twinkly lights, shiny gold wrapping and shimmering tinsel. Without care, we could be blinded to the real meaning of the glitter. We could over connect with the commercialized holiday spirit, a homogenized and idealized view of life defined by materialistic things and experiences. Then feel forced to hold this “picture perfect” season in the hypocrisy of family complications.
So, I get it. It’s easier to just feign looking happy; however, all choices require energy. How might investigating how your energy could be better placed?
With a creative mindset, how might your holidays be renewed with different traditions and outlooks? What matters to you most, right now? What hobbies do you enjoy? What are some must-sees or non-negotiables? How might you be more authentic and immerse your energy here?
Art making can be a freeing way to energize yourself. Doodle little things you are thankful for. Be silly and sketch the funny moments you observe in daily life. Draw your breath as you calmly breathe. Go outside and take pics with your phone of delights in nature. Connect and craft with friends with uplifting music. Journal about your faith for meaning or hope.
So, mindfully wake up to the glitter of the season. Not keyed up to the fake “holiday happy dance” but as an opportunity to…
put our energy where our hearts desire to be.
Now consider your renewed sense of the holiday season. In fact, drop ‘holiday’ all together…
How are you now, creatively in this season?
Ready to see the seasons of life from a fresh perspective? Start your new season of reflection and growth. Therapy with me folds in this sense of mindful presence with creative art therapy expression and the healing benefits of EMDR. Let’s make a new start together to create your calm for clarity and change. Feel free to reach out for a free consult.
You can also learn more about the work I do on the Meet Andrea page.
I’m here to help, connecting your heart to the true spirit of your season.
Andrea Sutrick, ATR-BC, LMHC
So what about the image?
In my art response, what might the saying, “All that glitters is not gold” mean during this holiday season? Gold can feel simply as too much. Too much opulence. Too much shine. Too much uncertainty. I started the painting process with a burgundy border first to warmly hold and invite this creative experience. I noticed a feeling of how light can often blind us. I painted the various shades of white. With wonderment, where does the gold belong? I noticed gold felt forced and was initially painted as a looming large box, heavy like a gold brick. Then after talking to a friend, my perspective changed. I literally flipped the painting 180 degrees. I then softened the gold with white and a harmony of gold and white danced with a landscape emerging with mountains reaching up to the clouds. The holidays can be a heavy time, and my heart holds this awareness for those I support in therapy. Rather than being overwhelmed with the glitter, how might we take time to make art and connect with true glimmers of gold?