There’s something in the air during the holiday season.
The festive lights, the cheerful messages, the gift-shopping, the reunions, the joy of togetherness all feel like the world is gently (or not so gently) nudging you to feel a specific way.
For many multilinguals, this time of year comes with more than just busyness and festive cheer. It can bring emotional noise in several languages at once. And if that already feels like a lot, let me say this first: you’re not imagining it, and you’re definitely not alone.
When the Season Speaks More Than One Language
For multilingual and multicultural people, the holiday season often unfolds in layers.
You might find yourself switching languages and identities depending on who you’re with. Feeling festive in one context and strangely distant in another. Missing people, places, or traditions, but not all in the same way or at the same time.
You might get asked what you usually celebrate and realise there isn’t a simple answer. Or that the answer depends on who’s asking, where you are or which parts of you feel more you that day.
None of this means something is wrong. It simply means your life contains more than one cultural rhythm.
When Traditions Don’t Fit Neatly
There’s a quiet pressure during the holidays to do things properly.
To follow traditions.
To recreate something perfectly.
But multilingual lives don’t work that way.
Some traditions blend, others fade. New ones appear without anyone officially naming them. Sometimes celebrations are loud and communal; sometimes they’re small, quiet, and private. Sometimes they change from year to year because you change and life changes.
If your holidays don’t look like the ones in films, advertisements, or other people’s expectations, that doesn’t make them incomplete. It just means they’re authentic. And they’re yours.
A Gentle Reminder
Here’s a small reminder for this season, especially if you’re feeling stretched across languages, cultures, roles or emotions:
You’re allowed to simplify.
You’re allowed to say ‘no’ without explaining your entire cultural background.
You’re allowed to celebrate softly, differently, or not at all.
You’re allowed to let your languages and cultures coexist without keeping perfect balance.
You’re allowed to feel gratitude and heaviness at the same time.
You don’t have to do anything perfectly.
You don’t have to translate everything you feel. Not even to yourself.
A Warm Holiday Wish
Whether you’re celebrating, preparing, working through complicated feelings, or just getting through the season. Whether you’re spending time with family, with your partner, with friends or even alone. Wherever you are and whatever this season looks like in your languages, cultures, or life right now:
I’m wishing you Happy Holidays, in all the ways that feel right to you.
There Is No Single Holiday Experience
However you’re moving through this season, I’d like you to know that there’s no universal emotional script, no correct way to experience the holidays.
Multilingualism adds depth, nuance, and sometimes complexity, but it also brings an incredible capacity to hold more than one truth at once.
If this season feels layered or complicated, that’s not a flaw, it’s a reflection of the richness of experiences your life holds, of the different facets of you.
However you’re showing up right now, it’s enough.
Your way of experiencing the holidays counts.
And if you need to hear it one more time: You’re doing just fine!
If you’d like support navigating the complexities of multilingual life, or just need someone to talk to, you can reach out anytime. I’m available via my website’s contact form, Instagram DMs, or WhatsApp, and I’d be happy to hear from you.
Happy Holidays everyone!
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