Feeling Shame During the Holidays
Holidays can be exciting and other times they can be a source of uninvited stress. This stress shows up in many ways such as family conflict, finances, unmet expectations, or even feeling shame about the emotions that come up for us during the holidays.
Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW identifies 12 categories of shame that show up in our lives. These areas are appearance and body image, money and work, motherhood/fatherhood, family, parenting, mental and physical health, addiction, sex, aging, religion, surviving trauma, and being stereotyped or labeled.
Brown explains, “Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.”
These categories of shame can be intensified during the holidays, causing us to feel disappointed or lonely. The fear of being our true self lies to us and tells us that we are not enough. It keeps us from having true, deep connection with those around us.
This holiday season, what would it look like to show up as your authentic self? What would it be like to meet your shameful thoughts with love and kindness?
It may be a bit scary to show up with all of your imperfections, but you just might be surprised to be met with compassion from the people around you.
If you feel like you need additional support in this season, please call us at 615-591-5262.
Blog written by Refuge Center Masters Level Intern, Lana Sydenstricker
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The Refuge Center for Counseling is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (20-3831943). We are also a United Way of Williamson County Partner Organization.
