“Everyone keeps asking if I’m excited for the holidays, and I keep pretending I am, but inside I’m just trying not to fall apart.”
The holidays tend to amplify whatever we’re already carrying. If you’re doing well, the season can feel inviting. If you’re dealing with stress or anxiety, grief or conflict, or feeling just plain exhausted, it can feel much less so. The pressure to feel festive doesn’t magically erase the tougher parts of life, and it’s common for people to feel disconnected from the celebrations happening around them.
This time of year can often disrupt much needed routines, as well as create unrealistic expectations. It stretches finances and brings up memories—good ones and difficult ones. Some people can feel isolated when they can’t be with family. Others can feel anxious because they are around family. And for anyone navigating mental health challenges, the shift in pace and expectations can throw everything off balance.
Checking in with yourself can help make the season flow a little easier. Maybe that means slowing down when your emotions flare, stepping away from situations that feel draining, or giving yourself permission to say “not this year” to anything That doesn’t feel right. You don’t have to pretend you’re fine if you’re not. Being honest about how you’re doing is also an act of care.
And if you do happen to reach a point where things feel too much to manage alone, support is available.
The Renewal Center, operated by Mental Health PEER Connection (MHPC), offers a calm, peer-run alternative to the emergency room for adults (18+) who are struggling emotionally or nearing crisis. Peer Specialists—people with their own lived experience—are there to sit with you, talk through what’s happening, and help you find the appropriate resources. A nurse is on site, and all services are free for Erie County residents 18 years and older.
VISIT THE RENEWAL CENTER
Kirsten A. Vincent Respite & Recovery Center
111 Maple Street, Buffalo, NY 14204
New Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., seven days a week
716-245-4200
If you’re finding this holiday season difficult, you’re not alone. The Renewal Center offers a safe place to get the support you deserve.