Redefining the Holidays After Painful Experiences
I used to find the Christmas season incredibly challenging. Two profoundly traumatic and life-altering events occurred during this time in my childhood, leaving lasting scars. Adding to that, my fundamentalist Christian upbringing made navigating the holiday season as an adult both confusing and painful. When I began deconstructing much of the faith I grew up with, I often felt isolated and emotionally unsettled during Christmas. I felt out of place at family gatherings, unsure of how to be myself when I didn’t even know who I was.
Religious Trauma Recovery: Holiday Support
Are the holidays hard for you? You’re not alone.
For survivors of religious trauma and spiritual abuse, the holiday season can be an intensely triggering time. The ubiquitous religious imagery, music, and traditions can serve as painful reminders of past experiences within oppressive or abusive religious environments.
Family gatherings may force interactions with individuals who were complicit in or dismissive of the abuse or lived experience. The emphasis on faith, worship, and spiritual celebration can resurface complex emotions like grief, anger, and confusion about one's spiritual identity.