Redefining Joy: What the Festive Season Can Look Like in Recovery

When the Festive Season Feels Difficult

The festive season is often portrayed as a time of happiness, indulgence and constant togetherness. Images of celebration and shared traditions can create the sense that joy should come easily to everyone. For those in recovery from an eating disorder or mental health difficulties, however, this time of year can feel emotionally complex and overwhelming.

Recovery does not pause for the holidays. Increased focus on food, disrupted routines and social expectations can intensify anxiety or disordered thoughts. Experiencing difficulty during this time does not mean recovery is failing — it simply reflects the challenges of the environment.

Letting Go of Festive Expectations

Redefining joy often begins with releasing the belief that the festive season must look a certain way. Joy in recovery is not always loud, social or celebratory. It may be quieter, slower and more inward-focused.

For many people, this means choosing rest over constant activity, simplicity over tradition, and emotional safety over external expectations. These decisions are not signs of avoidance; they are acts of self-care that support long-term wellbeing.

Choosing Peace Over Performance

The pressure to appear happy or “normal” during the holidays can be exhausting. In recovery, joy may come from giving yourself permission to opt out of situations that feel overwhelming, to attend gatherings in your own way, or to leave early without guilt.

Protecting your mental health does not diminish the festive season. In many cases, it allows for a more sustainable and authentic experience.

Recovery Is Not Linear — Even at Christmas

The festive period can bring setbacks or increased distress, even for those who feel stable throughout the year. This does not undo progress. Recovery includes learning how to respond to difficult moments with compassion rather than self-criticism.

Joy in recovery may involve accepting that some days are harder than others and recognising effort rather than perfection.

Finding Meaning Beyond Food

When celebrations revolve around eating, recovery can feel particularly challenged. Redefining joy may involve shifting the focus towards connection that is not food-centred — such as conversation, shared activities or quiet moments of presence.

Food does not need to be the main source of meaning for the festive season to feel worthwhile.

Practising Body Respect During the Festive Season

Body image concerns and diet-focused conversations often become louder at this time of year. In recovery, joy may come from choosing clothes that feel comfortable, stepping away from appearance-based talk and practising body respect rather than striving for confidence.

Your body does not need to be changed or commented on in order for you to belong.

Allowing Joy to Be Small and Gentle

Joy in recovery does not always look like excitement or celebration. It may appear in subtle ways — feeling supported by one person, experiencing a moment of calm, or simply getting through a difficult day with kindness towards yourself.

These moments are real and meaningful, even if they do not match traditional festive images.

A Compassionate Ending to the Year

If you are in recovery during the festive season, you are not required to enjoy everything or meet anyone else’s expectations. Your wellbeing remains important, regardless of the time of year.

Redefining joy means allowing the festive season to meet you where you are. Joy can be quiet, imperfect and deeply personal — and still be enough.