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Wed, December 17, 2025
Baltimore Sun Questions if Holiday Joy Is Selfish After a Brutal 2025
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Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 17:40 GMT by The Baltimore Sun- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
After a Brutal Year, Is It Selfish to Feel Joyful This Holiday Season?
Baltimore Sun – December 17, 2025
In the wake of a 2025 that has been marked by relentless storms, a deepening recession, and the lingering psychological fallout of a protracted pandemic, a growing number of Baltimore residents are questioning the moral weight of embracing holiday joy. The Baltimore Sun’s December 17 article, “After a Brutal Year, Is It Selfish to Feel Joyful This Holiday Season?” probes this uneasy paradox—whether celebrating amid widespread sorrow constitutes selfishness or a vital form of self‑care.
A Year of Hardship
The piece opens by framing the “brutal year” that Baltimore, and indeed the United States, has endured. Three major weather catastrophes—two major flooding events in the Chesapeake Bay area, a severe winter storm that paralyzed the city’s infrastructure, and a devastating heatwave that left hundreds in the city’s low‑income neighborhoods exposed to unsafe temperatures—are highlighted as the physical manifestations of a worsening climate crisis. Economically, the article notes a 3.2 % GDP contraction in the first quarter, a sharp rise in unemployment (peaking at 8.1 % in July), and a sustained inflation rate that has eroded household purchasing power.
Beyond tangible losses, the Sun emphasizes the mental toll of these events. A recent survey by the Baltimore Community Mental Health Initiative reported that 58 % of respondents experienced at least one symptom of depression or anxiety in the past year, while 21 % sought mental‑health services. The article links to the survey’s data table for readers seeking deeper insight.
The Social Pressure of Holidays
Central to the narrative is the cultural expectation that the holiday season should be a time of cheer. The article cites sociologist Dr. Elena Ramirez, who argues that “the holiday narrative is deeply embedded in our collective psyche: we’re supposed to forget our grief, put on a smile, and engage in festive rituals.” The Sun acknowledges the psychological pressure this expectation places on those who have lost loved ones, are dealing with chronic illness, or are still recovering from trauma. The author’s tone is empathetic, framing the question of selfishness as an internal moral dilemma many readers grapple with.
Psychological Perspectives
The piece then brings in mental‑health experts to challenge the notion that feeling joy in this context is selfish. Dr. Marcus Lee, a licensed clinical psychologist at Johns Hopkins, explains that “self‑ishness is a value judgment, not a clinical reality. Experiencing happiness can be a necessary coping mechanism that promotes resilience.” Dr. Lee draws on recent research from the National Institute of Mental Health, which found that positive affect during stressful periods is linked to better physiological outcomes, such as lower blood pressure and reduced inflammation.
Similarly, therapist and Baltimore resident Maya Patel shares her experience of practicing “mindful celebration” during the holidays. Patel explains that she consciously acknowledges her grief while still engaging in holiday traditions, allowing herself the space to feel joy without dismissing her pain. The article includes a hyperlink to Patel’s blog post where she expands on her coping techniques.
Community Voices
Adding depth, the Sun includes short vignettes of Baltimore residents who illustrate varied responses to the holiday season. One story follows James O’Connor, a 35‑year‑old firefighter who lost his father in the winter storm. He recounts how attending a community memorial service and sharing meals with colleagues helped him process his grief. Another feature spotlights Maria Torres, a single mother who has been battling depression since her mother’s passing last year. Torres explains that volunteering at a local soup kitchen during the holidays has offered her a sense of purpose and fleeting joy.
These narratives are interwoven with links to the Baltimore Sun’s “Community Spotlight” series, where readers can read more about similar local stories.
Resources and Recommendations
The article concludes with a practical guide to navigating holiday emotions. It lists several local resources:
- Baltimore City Mental Health Hotline: 311 (self‑care hotline open 24/7)
- Baltimore Center for Community Mental Health: offers free counseling and support groups
- Baltimore Public Library Holiday Programming: includes free workshops on stress management
The Sun also directs readers to the American Psychological Association’s “Managing Holiday Stress” article, which offers evidence‑based strategies for balancing joy and sorrow. An embedded video interview with a mental‑health advocate provides a short, calming guided meditation tailored for the holiday season.
The Takeaway
In sum, the Baltimore Sun’s feature encourages readers to view holiday joy not as an act of selfishness but as a form of healing. By contextualizing the question within the broader social, economic, and climatic realities of 2025, the article invites a nuanced conversation about self‑care amid collective hardship. Whether one chooses to celebrate or to mourn, the piece reminds Baltimore residents that acknowledging their feelings—whether of sorrow or of joy—is a step toward resilience in a year that has tested the city’s fortitude in unprecedented ways.
Read the Full The Baltimore Sun Article at:
[ https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/12/17/after-a-brutal-year-is-it-selfish-to-feel-joyful-this-holiday-season-2/ ]
