To have to do an ‘Emma Thompson’ this Christmas?

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We all know the scene from ‘Love Actually’. AIBU to think I’m not the only one who is doing an Emma Thompson this Christmas? I.e. putting a brave face on whilst everything else crumbles around you?

You can share why you’re Emma Thompsoning your way through the festive period or just give a knowing nod whilst you scream inside.

Me? I’ve split up with my partner as I’ve realised it’s a toxic relationship after an incident last week. I’ve told no one and he’s back home after 4 night away. I am just smiling through it all so our daughter doesn’t have a shit Christmas and more difficult memories to work through in future therapy.

Separation, divorce, grief, bereavement, complicated family, homelessness or financial ruin?

Here’s to getting through the next few days and a brighter 2026!

I'm sorry you're having to live through it.

I'm at risk of losing my promotion while I wait for my adhd diagnosis. (High pressure, tight deadlines. No support.). This will strain me financially and Christmas is a bit more bare this year in anticipation but the tree is up, the decs are out, snacks sorted. Kids none the wiser. A minor Emma Thompsoning in comparison.

Emma Thompsoning definitely very poor relationship with my sister - toughing it out

I’m managing being made redundant, plus today marks a milestone number of years since I lost my son. I’ve walked the dogs tonight and cried a river, now I’ve built a (wine cemented) bridge and am getting the fuck over myself in anticipation of DD and DH arriving home in half an hour.

What these threads teach me is that women, really really, are it. Just everything.

Cancer and divorce here. Fucking aarrgghh.

My DH died very unexpectedly just before last Christmas. I’m really not feeling like Christmas at all. I’m trying, for my family.

My husband left me last night. And when putting to bed our 5 year old he asked me why I made his daddy leave. I didnt, I didnt want this, we had problems but I thought we were working on them, I was! He just suddenly decided he couldnt carry on. And yet hes done nothing but cry. Ive never seen him cry so much in the 11+ years we have been together.

My heart is broken, ive lost my appetite and weight is dropping off (not a bad thing, I have a couple stone to lose!) I love him so much, i wish I hated him it would be so much easier.

Cancer.. just fucking fucking awful…

Lost my mother this month. A complicated situation. But I have four children under 9 so ... Merry Christmas everyone.

I’m sure ET would prefer you to use her characters name.

Goodness me. I’m sending a big virtual hug to you all.

Such a reminder that you never know what heaviness people are carrying. This is not a place to compare just to recognise it’s a shit time for so many.

Wishing you all strength, which you clearly already have in abundance (although I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it sometimes).

To be honest, I can’t remember her character’s name and its homage to the fact that it’s one of the greatest pieces of acting you’ll ever see.

I don’t think she’d care, and I imagine a lot of people wouldn’t actually know what the character was called. I know I don’t.

Well, I might if I could remember it but since I can't Emma T will have to do.
(and I don't really get why she'd prefer the character's name to her own? Actresses need ongoing recognition. )

Read the room.

Huge hugs to everyone. My mum is currently very poorly in hospital and I am so.worried about her and my dad. They are both 82 and it hit me when I was taken into the Relatives Room by a doctor for the DNR conversation that I am suddenly the adult, and that was a very scary moment... Spending a lot of time in the hospital over the last few days has been very sobering and reconfirmed what an incredible job the staff do - especially the nurses, porters and Red Cross helpers, who work tirelessly. Life is so fragile but kindness makes everything so much better.

Bereavements, three of them, to cope I seem to have gone back to the numb and disbelieving stage. We are not doing Christmas properly (whatever that means) this year. I have put some lights up to chase away the darkness rather than to celebrate

Sending you all hugs. We can do this! We are strong!

I hope your employers have put in reasonable adjustments. I'm sorry your having a difficult time.

My dad died in September from cancer after a shock diagnosis. My mum hasn't been doing so good (we assumed it was grief). It's cancer and she's been given a few weeks and yesterday our never ending house sale and purchase chain collapsed. My face hurts from the fake smiling when inside I'm dying.

I doubt she’d give a monkeys tbh. She herself has said that performance was particularly raw because she’d been through the same ordeal in her own life.

Sending love and strength to everyone who is struggling with heartbreak. It’s such a brutal time of year when you have awful things going on.

THAT'S your take away from this thread??

Goodness, some people are cold

There's always one.
Emma Thompson wouldn't give a flying fuck so give over.

My heart is breaking for you. Both parents to the bastard that is cancer is too much. It’s not fucking fair. I’m so sorry. 💔

Another one signing in with cancer and divorce. Or rather, was on the edge of divorcing but now stuck here during the coming months (at least) because chemo and surgery are enough to be getting on with. Kids don't know. To add insult to injury I'm waiting on some test results and I expect I'll be left hanging over the coming two weeks or so, which is hugely upsetting.

I am leaning in to allllll the Christmas crap. The party food, the silly gifts, the random concerts, walks, anything, I am there.

Sending love @SuperDuperFuckNuts

That’s beyond words. Sending you strength.

My dad also has terminal cancer so this might be his last Christmas, which is so unbearable I’m almost glad to have the relationship breakdown to distract me from it.