This article is the third in a three-part series unpacking why this time of year feels so intense for so many people. If you find yourself shutting down, snapping, withdrawing or feeling strangely heavy in December, these posts will give you the language and insight to understand what's happening underneath.
The first post looks at the hidden toll Christmas takes on the body and nervous system—beyond the social masks and family routines.
👉 Christmas Isn’t a Holiday – It’s a Nervous System Test
It strips things back to what the nervous system is actually processing beneath the tinsel and pressure: overstimulation, boundary breaches, sensory overwhelm, and emotional memory.
The second post breaks open the difference between short-term coping and real regulation.
👉 Relief-Seeking vs Regulation: Why Christmas Wears You Out (And What To Do About It)
It explains why so many people crash after the event—and why the things we turn to for relief (food, alcohol, control, scrolling, conflict, shutdown) often leave us more dysregulated.
This final post in the series turns inward. It asks: what happens when Christmas reopens wounds that haven’t fully healed?
👉 The Ghost of Christmas Past – How Old Wounds Shape Your Nervous System at Christmas
It explores how past experiences—especially those involving loss, neglect, pressure, or trauma—can leave imprints that surface again through sensory triggers. It’s about the ache that doesn’t match the moment. And why it makes perfect sense, even if it’s hard to explain to others.
If any of this feels familiar, these posts are for you. They won’t offer clichés or quick fixes. Just calm, clear insight on what your body might be trying to tell you, and how to meet yourself there without shame.
If you’re curious about trauma-informed EMDR therapy or coaching, or just want to ask a question or share a thought, you’re warmly invited to reach out.
You’re welcome to contact me directly using any of the trusted platforms below, or the details provided here—whatever feels easiest for you.
No matter how you’re feeling—overwhelmed, shut down, or quietly struggling—reaching out is a brave and welcome step.
There’s no need to worry about saying things perfectly. I offer a calm, non-judgemental space where you set the pace, and we’ll take things one step at a time together.
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