Adela Mas, psychologist: “I have spent 27 years trying to understand why Christmas has to be a time of mandatory happiness”
The mental health expert focuses on the “intensity” of these dates that are so significant for everyone.
These holidays always arrive with a silent mandate: you have to be happy. They present themselves as a stage for full tables, shared laughter, and long-awaited reconciliations that, as if by magic, are supposed to be resolved before Christmas is over. However, for many people, the season does not bring joy but added pressure. Imposed happiness can become a heavy burden when it does not align with a person’s emotional reality.
The dominant narrative reinforces a single idea of Christmas: a united family, unconditional love, abundance, and gratitude. Advertising, social media, and much of popular culture repeat this script without nuance. What happens, then, to those who are grieving, going through a breakup, facing financial difficulties, or simply have no one to celebrate with? The gap between what Christmas “should be” and what it actually is widens, and with it comes a growing sense of not belonging.
Psychologist Adela Mas has openly addressed this issue on her TikTok account, focusing on the emotional “intensity” of Christmas. “I’ve spent 27 years trying to understand why Christmas has to be a time of pure joy,” she says.
“Christmas is very intense emotionally and in other ways. Yes, there are people who enjoy it and celebrate it, who connect, who are grateful, and who feel that warmth we all imagine. But there are also countless stories that unfold in silence,” she adds. “People who, during these weeks more than ever, drift into unwanted loneliness. People who spend the whole night staring at an empty chair…”
@amaspsicologia Navidad no siempre es celebrar❤️🩹 #navidad #duelo #parati #viral #fyp
♬ sonido original - Psicóloga Adela Mas
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In her now-viral reflection, Mas insists that Christmas does not have to mean the same thing to everyone. “For many, it’s about survival, memory, and discomfort.” She concludes with a plea: “This year I ask you, please, before saying it’s a holiday, remember that there are people carrying more than you can imagine.”
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