In our little but rapidly growing growing community, Nights of Lights is in full swing. Thousands of families are gathering nightly downtown to see the Christmas lights that illuminate every building, tree and bush downtown along the waterfront. For some, it can be magical to go downtown this time of year and for others, it can also be absolutely infuriating to navigate the crowds and the traffic. Both experiences are valid. 

The holidays do have a unique way of illuminating so many beautiful and broken parts of our family story. Some us long to gather with family and others may dread it. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all fall so closely together and any one of these alone can stir up powerful and painful emotions. What about you? Does this season stir up hurts and traumas from your own growing up years or do they activate more current events like the death of a loved one or a divorce or some unresolved conflicts that linger making the holidays a bit of an emotional or relational mine field?

You've heard it said, "You can take the boy of out of the country but you can't take the country out of the boy." What is being identified when we say these kinds of things is that we are deeply formed and shaped by our earliest experiences.. Another way of saying this could be, "You can take the boy or girl out of their family but you can not take their family out of that boy or girl." 

John Mayer's song "In the Blood" touches on several familiar themes of family systems, jealousy, shame, identity, divorce, brokenness, rising, painful emotions, hope, transformation and getting the love we want.  

The holidays can be particularly challenging for first responders due to the nature of their work and the unique stressors associated with their profession. Here are several reasons why the holidays can be difficult for first responders:

1. Increased Workload: During the holiday season, there may be an increase in emergencies and incidents that require the attention of first responders. This heightened workload can lead to longer shifts, increased stress, and limited time for personal celebrations.
2. Missed Celebrations: First responders often work irregular hours, including holidays, weekends, and nights. This can result in missed family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and other special events, causing stress and disappointment for both the first responder and their families.
3. Exposure to Traumatic Incidents: First responders may encounter traumatic incidents during the holidays, such as accidents, fires, or emergencies. Responding to these events can be emotionally challenging and may affect their well-being, making it difficult to fully engage in holiday festivities.
4. Emotional Toll: The nature of the work can take an emotional toll on first responders, and the holiday season may exacerbate feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression. They may witness heightened emotions in the community, including accidents, domestic incidents, or other crises.
5. Isolation and Loneliness: While others are celebrating with family and friends, first responders working during the holidays may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. This sense of missing out on social connections can contribute to emotional stress.
6. Financial Strain: Some first responders may work extra shifts or be on call during the holidays, but this doesn't always translate to increased financial compensation. Balancing the financial strain of holiday expenses with the demands of their job can be stressful.
7. Pressure to Perform: There may be societal expectations for everyone, including first responders, to be in a festive and joyous mood during the holidays. This pressure to perform and mask personal stressors can add an additional layer of strain.
8. Impact on Family Dynamics: The irregular schedules and the demands of the job can disrupt family traditions and create challenges in maintaining a sense of normalcy during the holiday season. This can be especially difficult for spouses and children of first responders.
9. Cumulative Stress: First responders may already be dealing with cumulative stress from the demands of their job throughout the year. The holiday season can act as a trigger, intensifying existing stressors and making it more challenging to cope.
10. Lack of Resources for Support: While some workplaces offer support services, not all first responders may have access to adequate resources for coping with holiday-related stress. This lack of support can make it harder for them to navigate the challenges they face.

Recognizing and addressing these challenges is essential for supporting the mental and emotional well-being of first responders during the holiday season. Providing access to mental health resources, promoting open communication, and fostering a supportive work environment can help mitigate the difficulties associated with the holidays for these essential workers.

Are you struggling? Let a member of our team sit with you and help you sort through this. We were never meant to struggle alone. The only thing worse than being in pain is being in pain alone. That is why our team exists. Plain and simple. To walk with fellow struggler through the muck and mire into a brighter and more hope filled future, with some new insight and skill for navigating the hard things that come along with being a human. 

You can contact our team most easily by calling 904.877.4750 and we will be back in touch within 24-48 hours to explore we can get you scheduled with one of our counseling team members within 7-10 of that callback conversation.