Are festivals biased towards happy people?

‘Are festivals biased towards happy people?’

In a recent session, a client brought up the loneliness they were feeling amidst the ongoing festivities.

‘I have not been invited to any taash party’

‘I am not flying back home to be with my family’

‘And to see people glammed up in such heavy clothes and make up, I feel choked’

They said it feels like the whole country is on steroids and honestly, I agree to it.

A while back I had read somewhere that “celebrations are biased towards happy people” and this observation stayed with me. I do believe that capitalism and social media are piggybacking on each other to make festivals (actually everything) almost unbearable especially for people who are struggling in any way (emotional, psychological, physiological, financial or social).

I believe everyone has the right to celebrate any festival, birthday, wedding or any celebration exactly the way they are comfortable. So, if you are also someone who doesn't feel like celebrating, please know that is absolutely okay!

You can choose to celebrate a festival or take it as just another holiday.

Stay in bed or get out, order in or cook, exercise or watch movies, work or play.

Do whatever you feel like doing, you are not alone. A lot of people are also choosing to do this rather than celebrating the festival in a conventional way, they are just not posting it on Instagram or if they are it might be getting drowned in the noise otherwise.

Explore and allow yourself to make new rituals, rituals that might not feel hollow to you, rituals that you resonate with, rituals that make you happy.

For example, last year one of my friends hosted a dussera party. One of the activities was to write a part of ourselves, a memory or a thought that we wish to let go of. After writing it on a piece of paper we sat together and put those chits in the fire as a symbolic representation of triumph over our own demons.

So, this year I hope you have a happy ‘take care of yourself’ day.

And for people who are celebrating, Happy Diwali!

May you get three aces or a sequence and no criticisms or pressure to get married or have a kid from your family.

For me I'll be in Goa, rebelling and reaching home after Diwali.