Remembering my dysfunctional family with mom trying to be a career woman but also have a picture perfect Norman Rockwell Christmas and making her subsequent stress everyone else’s problem. Dealing with the “holidays are for family” trope when I don’t talk to my parents or sister and only get a limited amount of time with my kids. (I have a great relationship with my ex, the limited time is due to not being able to afford a large enough residence to have my kids stay with me regularly.) Seasonal affective disorder. The hyper-consumerist holiday sharpening the usual distress of living under a capitalist regime.

Basically I find myself near tears most days.