Navigating the Holiday Season with Complex Trauma
How do I protect myself during the holidays?
The holiday season holds deep meaning for many people. As you read this post, take a moment to reflect on the emotions, memories, and sensations this time of year brings up for you—whether it’s excitement, nostalgia, anxiety, connection, loneliness, or a sense of play and relaxation.
For survivors of complex trauma, the holidays can be emotionally intense. You might feel anxious about setting boundaries with challenging family members, experience grief for those you aren’t celebrating with, or reflect with gratitude on your personal growth. For those with religious or cult trauma, the season’s religious themes may also bring discomfort or trigger past wounds.
With this in mind, here are ways to honor your trauma history during the holiday season:
1. Create Your Own Traditions
The meaning of the holidays is shaped by what we choose to associate with them. Instead of avoiding the season altogether, you can embrace it on your own terms by crafting new traditions. There are no rules—do what feels right for you. Whether that means skiing in solitude, celebrating with friends earlier in December to avoid holiday travel, or enjoying festive lights while skipping the carols, finding agency in your celebrations can be deeply empowering for trauma survivors.
2. Be Mindful of Family & Political Stressors
For those in the U.S., the 2024 election may still feel fresh, and political differences can amplify existing family tensions. Trauma survivors are often highly attuned to how politics intersect with personal autonomy and community dynamics. If you anticipate emotionally taxing conversations with family members who hold opposing views, check in with yourself. Stay mindful of your emotions, physical sensations, and values. Whether you choose to disengage, educate, or redirect the conversation, the key is to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
3. Celebrate Your Healing Journey
Healing from complex trauma is rarely a straight path—it’s normal to feel like you’ve made great strides one moment and little progress the next. The end of the year is a great opportunity to recognize your growth, acknowledge areas where you want to continue healing, and recommit to your values and goals. No matter where you are on your journey, taking time to honor your resilience can be a powerful way to close out the year.
Finding Support for your Complex Trauma Healing Journey
There are several ways that complex trauma survivors can find support for their PTSD recovery journey. For one, you are welcome to book a consultation with me to discuss your options for individual therapy (California residents only). You can educate yourself about the phases of trauma therapy and common trauma symptoms like dissociation.
This post was inspired by my original blog post for Woven Together Trauma Therapy.
