Christmas Is Still a Thursday (And That’s Okay)

​This post is for anyone who can’t stand Christmas—men, women, trans, nonbinary, however you identify. If the holidays make you feel more overwhelmed than joyful, welcome. You’re in the right place.

I might sound like the Grinch, but honestly? Christmas is just another Thursday for me.

I woke up with no Christmas tree. No wrapped presents. No magical morning for my kids. I didn’t receive a gift either. And while I’d love to say that didn’t sting, it did—just a little. Not in a dramatic, movie-scene way. More in a quiet, “this is my reality right now” kind of way.

I’ve always been the black sheep or the family disappointment—you know the role. In the past, family members would usually send money around the holidays because, let’s be real, I almost always need it. But this year, after all the help I received earlier, there wasn’t much left to give.

That said, I want to shout out:

• The family member who sent me $25, which was just enough for diapers and wipes
• Another who gifted me sweatsuits, which is basically my official uniform at this stage of life

And honestly? I’m grateful. Survival gifts count.

When Holiday Depression Hits Hard

If you’re dealing with holiday depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles during Christmas, I want you to know something:

You are not broken. And you are not alone.

This holiday is held to such a high standard by society—everyone is supposed to be happy, dressed in red and green, smiling with perfectly decorated trees behind them. But life doesn’t magically pause its problems just because it’s December 25th.

The world doesn’t stop being chaotic.

Bills don’t disappear.

Trauma doesn’t take the day off.

Mental health struggles don’t reschedule.

So if you’re home today doing what you do any other day—scrolling, surviving, existing—I’m right there with you.

Faith, Flaws, and Still Being Loved

I do have a relationship with the Lord. I believe in Jesus Christ. And no, my behavior doesn’t always reflect that. I’ve fallen back into habits I’m not proud of—but that’s something God and I are working through together.

And if you don’t share my faith, that’s okay too. You’re still loved. Truly.

Grace isn’t canceled because you’re struggling.

Love doesn’t disappear because you’re tired.

Hope doesn’t expire because you’re human.

For the Kids the World Forgets

This part matters deeply to me.

To the kids who woke up today with:

• No electricity
• No food
• No presents
• No Christmas tree
• Or no understanding of what Christmas even is

I pray that your light doesn’t go out.

I pray you keep that spark in your eye.

I pray you keep fighting for your dreams.

I pray you make it out of the situation you were born into—even though none of it was your fault.

Every child deserves a chance at happiness.

Not perfection. Just a chance.

To the Kids in Hospitals and Families Hurting

To the children spending Christmas in hospitals, and to the families sitting beside them—I love you. I pray for healing, stability, resources, and peace. Every child deserves safety, health, and a loving environment, no matter where they were born or to whom.

Adults’ decisions should not be the weight children carry—but too often, they are.

Joy Can Coexist With Grief

To the high-spirited, joy-filled people posting matching pajamas and sparkling trees—I promise, I’m not trying to bring you down. I live through you sometimes. Truly.

I pray one day I can give my kids that experience: waking up to a tree, presents everywhere, laughter filling the room. But I also know that isn’t reality for everyone—and pretending it is can hurt those of us still trying to survive.

Right now, my reality looks like debt, depression, and intrusive thoughts. I’m struggling badly with my mental health this holiday season. I won’t sugarcoat that.

But I’m still here.

I’m still fighting.

And I know I’m not the only one.

Keep Going—Even If It’s Just One More Day

Sometimes it feels impossible to imagine getting everything you need before something else goes wrong. Like every step forward comes with another setback. If you feel stuck, behind, or exhausted by life—you’re not weak. You’re human.

Maybe we need to stop pretending Christmas fixes everything.

Maybe we need to admit that sometimes…

Christmas is just a Thursday.

And that’s okay.

If you’re reading this today, keep pushing. Keep fighting. Even if all you can do is breathe and make it to tomorrow—that still counts.

I’m with you.

I love you.

And you matter more than the holiday ever will. 🤍

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson — A Heartbreaking YA Mystery That Stays With You

​Author: Tiffany D. Jackson

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, Social Issues, Mystery, Realistic Fiction

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Some books entertain you. Others unsettle you. Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson does both — and then leaves you sitting in the quiet afterward, replaying everything you thought you understood.

I chose this novel after reading Allegedly a few years ago, another Tiffany D. Jackson book that completely shook me. What draws me to her writing is how deeply she explores trauma, mental health, and the inner lives of young people navigating impossible circumstances. While Allegedly offered a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, Monday’s Not Coming does not — and honestly, that’s what makes it even more powerful.

If I had to describe my overall reaction in one word, it would be shock.

Book Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Monday’s Not Coming follows Claudia Coleman, a bright, determined eighth grader preparing to start high school in Washington, D.C. Claudia and her best friend Monday Charles are inseparable — like black and white, like the filling of an Oreo, like two halves of the same whole.

But when Claudia returns from summer vacation, Monday is gone.

No one at school seems concerned. Teachers brush it off. Administrators insist Monday has transferred. Even adults who should notice don’t. Claudia is left questioning whether her best friend simply outgrew her — or whether something far worse has happened.

Too young to drive, too young to be taken seriously, and constantly dismissed, Claudia embarks on her own investigation. What unfolds is a haunting exploration of how easily marginalized children — especially Black girls — can disappear without alarm.

Themes That Make This Book So Powerful

One of the most impactful elements of Monday’s Not Coming is its contrast between privilege and neglect.

Claudia is an only child with two involved parents, growing up in a stable neighborhood. Monday, on the other hand, lives in deep poverty, caring for multiple siblings, with an absent father and a mother who is emotionally and mentally unavailable.

Yet Monday’s personality never reflects the weight of her circumstances. She’s funny, sharp, ambitious — and quietly searching for a way out. That disconnect between how someone seems and what they’re actually enduring is painfully realistic, and it’s something many readers will recognize from real life.

The novel also touches on:

• Learning differences and educational inequity
• Mental health and childhood trauma
• Abuse and neglect
• The failure of systems meant to protect children
• Friendship, loyalty, and grief

Claudia’s tenacity is what carries this story. Despite her age and limitations, she refuses to stop asking questions. One of the most emotional moments is when she approaches her favorite teacher, desperate for any sign that someone else has noticed Monday’s absence.

As a reader, you grow to love Monday — even in her absence — which makes the truth all the more devastating.

Writing Style & Emotional Impact

Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing is raw, unflinching, and deeply human. She does not soften the reality of abuse, neglect, or trauma, and readers should approach this book with care. If you’re currently struggling with mental health challenges, this may not be the right read for you at this time.

That said, Jackson’s work is essential.

Her characters are clearly and unapologetically African American, and she weaves race, environment, and systemic inequality into the story in a way that feels honest — never performative.

One of my favorite lines from the book is:

“In this life, you don’t always get what you want, but you must dance through it.”

By the end of the novel, you understand exactly why this line matters — and why it hurts.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

I’ll admit this: I often wish Tiffany D. Jackson included more explicit healing or hope at the end of her stories. There’s growth, yes — but not always closure. Still, that lingering discomfort is intentional. Her books don’t let you walk away unchanged.

Monday’s Not Coming is a five-star read for me, and I highly recommend it to fans of:

• YA mystery novels
• Social justice and realistic fiction
• Books about friendship, trauma, and resilience

If you enjoyed this book, I also recommend:

• Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
• Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
• Cutthroat by Octavia Grant

Tiffany D. Jackson is a Black author who deserves continued recognition, discussion, and space on your bookshelf.