Why Holidays Feel Different As We Get Older
The holiday season brings joy, excitement, and memories with family. But as people get older, those feelings can give way to anxiety, worry, and a sense of overwhelming responsibility. The holidays still matter, but they are experienced in a more complex way.
One reason the holidays may feel different is that we are taking on more responsibilities as we approach adulthood. Students are expected to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and daily tasks. Many spend their breaks thinking about upcoming exams or unfinished assignments instead of relaxing. This shift makes the holidays feel less carefree and more worrisome.
“I remember opening gifts. When my sister, my cousins, and I opened gifts, the reactions were extremely intense because we were so young. But as we got older, we became desensitized to it,” said sophomore Brandon Higgs.
For high school students, the holidays turn from a special occasion shared with family to a break from school. Due to the stress caused by schoolwork, projects, and social drama, students seek an escape from school wherever they can.
“The holiday break acts as a stress reliever for me and gives me time to relax and not think about anything for a while,” added Brandon.
Another aspect that changes with age is finances. As teenagers get older, the burden of buying gifts can become a major focus of the holidays. Students must decide what to get each person, how much to spend, and whether they have enough money for everyone. This can cause stress because many teens are just learning to manage money.
“The holidays have changed for me as I got older because now I have to factor in having to afford gifts and managing money. School has also made me cherish the holidays more because it reminds me of when I was a kid and I didn’t have many responsibilities,” said sophomore Brandon Clarke.
This highlights the effect that the responsibilities we have as we get older have on our lives. It also shows how these added responsibilities make people more nostalgic, causing them to appreciate the holidays more because they remind them of childhood, when the holidays felt simpler and more carefree.
The experience of holidays appears to be different at different stages of life because our responsibilities, focus, and perspectives keep shifting. For students, the holidays may no longer feel like carefree days of joy, but they offer a chance to rest, reconnect with family, and step back from life’s pressures. Even as the innocence of childhood fades, the season remains a meaningful opportunity to reflect, recharge, and appreciate what matters most.
