National holidays used to bring everyone together for a good time but these days more people are avoiding them. For some, the holidays are too commercialized, while others are worried about the environment. Whatever the reason, some people no longer celebrate national holidays like they used to.
Here are nine reasons why.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.
No Time Off
Not everyone is lucky enough to get holidays off work and that’s especially true for people working in healthcare or emergency services. Even people in retail might have to clock in while others are celebrating. Without time to join in festivities, they feel disconnected from the holiday spirit & they’re often so fatigued from work that they have little energy for traditions.
Tired of Social Media Pressure
During the holidays, you’ll see a flood of social media posts of everyone sharing their perfect celebrations. Seeing friends & influencers posting picture-perfect gatherings makes some people feel inadequate or pressured to keep up. The endless comparisons are exhausting. Sadly, they also suck the joy out of the holidays & to escape that pressure, some people avoid it all.
Too Much Commercialization
A lot of people feel that national holidays have turned into big shopping events rather than genuine celebrations. And really, can you blame them? Seeing stores filled with Christmas decorations in September feels like we’ve lost the real meaning of the entire season. We’re supposed to spend money instead of spending quality time with our loved ones.
Worries About the Environment
More people are worried about the planet, and holidays create a lot of waste. In America, for example, we produce 25 million tons of extra garbage during the holiday season, including wrapping paper & plastic decorations. All that trash piles up. It’s a major reason why some people would rather skip traditional celebrations or at least find eco-friendly ways to celebrate without causing more harm.
Doesn’t Fit Personal Beliefs
Some feel that certain national holidays don’t line up with their beliefs because they’ve learned about the history behind these days. It doesn’t work for them anymore. For example, in the past, they might’ve been okay with celebrating Columbus Day, yet now, learning about how Native Americans were treated makes the entire celebration too painful for them. They just don’t bother with it.
Too Much Stress
Other people are more stressed than excited during the holidays because they have to plan big meals & coordinate with extended family. Making sure everything goes smoothly is a real pain. How are you supposed to meet everyone’s expectations without feeling anxious? Rather than relaxing, they’re running around cooking & cleaning. All that pressure takes the joy out of the holidays. It’s no wonder that they choose to skip it all.
Money Issues
Financial concerns are another reason why some people avoid holidays. We’ve all felt the pressure to buy gifts or host big parties; even visiting family gets expensive. For those on tight budgets, it’s simply not practical and the expectations to spend make holidays far too frustrating. They don’t want to go into debt or stretch their finances. Instead, some people choose to avoid the usual festivities so that they’re not causing themselves issues in the future.
Bad Memories
Sadly, some people don’t celebrate because of hard experiences connected to certain holidays, like losing loved ones around that time or going through a painful breakup. Participating in the usual celebrations brings back emotions they’d rather not revisit. They’d rather choose not to celebrate. At least then they’ll be able to cope with their feelings in a way that feels right for them.
Wanting Some “Me” Time
Life gets hectic sometimes, so some people crave a break. Rather than going to big holiday gatherings, they’d rather spend their time relaxing or focusing on personal hobbies so they don’t have to deal with the obligation to attend social events. It feels like a burden to them. They’ll use the holiday as a chance to recharge doing whatever they please.
