For years, I have been wary of the Christmas season. The food, drink and constant company. This for most people is a relief from their day to day working life. For me, it was all my fears laid out into 25 days.

Christmas can be tough for many different reasons, and it’s fair to say each of my Christmases has focused a lot around my anorexia. The initial diagnosis being 2013 Christmas and first and second relapse’s 2014 & 2017.

I sat for a long time, gazing into my computer screen, trying to find a super Insta worthy inspirational message about ‘coping with chirtsmas,’ but the truth is, I don’t have one. I am still learning how to cope, instead I would like to give you an (INCREDIBLY CRINGE)

Happiness Advent Calendar 

1st: wear a Christmas top, a really atrociously ugly one and wear it with pride

2nd : Go a frosty walk.

3rd: Do you wanna… build a snowman? (with paper depending on the weather) 

4th: Get the speaker on and belt out “All i want for christmas is you,” and just know, no one knows it’s you if you sing with an accent.

5th: Odd socks, because in the festivities (or ever) who has time to do a washing? 

6th: Its time: christmas movie *I would recommend Nativity but I’m bias*

7th: You’re a week into December! Take a moment for you, to simply be. 

8th: Have you finished Christmas shopping? 

9th: Really think about this one with a friend: is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie? 

10th: Treat yourself, gifts for others are great but you’re doing so well. 

11th: Hug as many (willing) people as possible 

12th: Write a lost of all the reasons Emma Thompson should have left Alan Rickman in “Love, Actually.”

13th: If you don’t have Christmas PJ’s, now is the time to buy them.

14th: Write some Christmas cards.

15th: How far are you on from last Christmas? What has changed?

16th: Speaking of last Christmas, get the speaker back out. 

17th: Christmas coffees are a big deal, but have you tried making your own? 

18th: Rest, let yourself have a day. 

19th: Rate the worst christmas song in history? 

20th: Wear a Santa hat for a day.

21st: Is the Grinch worthy of being accepted after how he treated the village? Discuss. 

22nd: Bake off is finished, but who’s to say you can’y out Paul Hollywoods gingerbread and make your own gingerbread village? 

23rd: Spend the rest of this day eating the gingerbread from day 22. 

24th: Turn your phone off, sit with your family, and enjoy your time with them

Its okay feel overwhelmed at Christmas. It’s normal to feel sad and alone, but you aren’t. And if anything, now is the time to grab a friend, a family member or pet (whoever your willing huggers were on day 11), get under a duvet and watch a movie, take some time and breath.