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

[Changes26]

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!

Hear, hear.

You haven't harmed anyone. It might cost the job, I don't know, but your whole life? Surely as a mistake that hasn't harmed anyone, it's not unforgivable.

Cancer over here too, just 2 chemos to go so wishing away the days until the end of Jan! Wishing you a healthy 2026 x

Please accept you are human and we all mess up sometimes .(big and small )
I hope that rather than be disappointed people will be supportive x
take care

Pain from cancer is increasing ☹️
I feel so incredibly alone in this shit crap rubbish evil unfair bastard “ journey”. I wish it was happening to someone else! This is my 4th fucking cancer. No one cares. No one is bothered. People are selfish fuckers and don’t want to hear for utterly shit it is to go through chemo when it hasn’t worked. All the fucking ads “ together we will beat cancer” make me sick! I want to cry.

It was Karen.... 😞😞

Our lease is up in February and we have nowhere to go. I really don’t know what will become of us.

I'm Emma Thompsoning an Xmas just me and my DD, due to the alcoholic antics of a family member meaning I can't see my plans through.

I've cried, but now in the 'wiping tears away and pulling myself together' stage, to make it lovely still for DD, and to remind myself that I have her, which is all I really need for Xmas.

Have you missed the point of the conversation..?

I think this poster has missed the ENTIRE point of the discussion here 🙈

Love to everyone on here who are really feeling it this Xmas and yet putting on a brave face. Such amazing women X

Love to everyone Emma Thompsoning it this year 💐

And bravo, OP, for coining such a phrase. Love it x

This thread has given me the slap I needed. Felt my depression creeping again, started moping (not minimising it, it can be hard) but you know what I'm lucky and I need to truly count my blessings. I'm really sorry that some of you are having a hard time at Christmas and I wish you all a better 2026.

We lost our baby at 16 weeks at the start of the month and had her funeral a week ago. This was supposed to be the Christmas we told everyone about the baby, but most people don’t know so I’ll have to Emma Thompson it.

So many moving stories here, wish I could give you all a big hug, and an extra one to anyone going through baby loss. You are very much not alone x

Everyone's struggles are valid x

Once again going through another fake Xmas . Ex had a history of ruining Xmas for me. Taints any happy memories. Everyone thinks I should be over it by now so I put on a good face and wait for Jan 2nd when it's all over .
Estranged from my siblings and with such a small family means I have no one that can mourn the loss of my parents.
While nobody wishes any harm to anyone knowing that other woman are struggling and yet still coping making Xmas for DCs means I will like Emma retreat to the bathroom at least once , cry and then wash my face and carry on.

Emma Thompson said she was relating that scene to her own life when she discovered her husband Kenneth Branagh was having an affair with Helena Bonham Carter who was her friend .

Are you for real? The posters here are talking about the death of a child, a husband, marriages ending, job loss, life threatening fucking illness and you're banging on about some actress??
I'm Emma T'ing this Christmas because people are fucking awful and can't read a room, fuck sakes.

Thank you for your suggestions. There are suspicions he may be ND. Which has literally come out of the blue as there were no suggestions until the outbursts started, so it’s also alot to deal with when your child is a teenager and there were no signs or a single comment by school. It’s just mentally a lot to spin our heads around. The CAMHS waiting list is 3 years.
GP has already done the right to choose referral for us which is about 18 months.. that’s the best we can do.

Sending all the posters of here lots of love and strength . I have had a few years of ET moment Christmas’s and especially resonate with you @FacingTheEndbut I am a few years on now and although life is different To before, it is now firmly in the past and life has moved on to more happier times .

💕💐 to all of you you are all truly amazing ladies and I wish for happier times for you all going forward x

This was me 2.5 years ago. I promise you it gets better. I know it sucks that the only thing that heals is time - but just keep going one day at a time. One day you'll wake up and it won't be so bad x

So minor compared to some of there on here, but just so so down entering my 36th year childless. Finally managed to get pregnant this year and had a traumatic loss- dreading my due date 😔
Seems every female within 10 km of me is pregnant or just had a baby. It’s not how I imagined my life and I feel very sad.

Appreciate the space to be honest about it. Much love to everyone having a shit time 💐

If I could I'd run off rather than face the next two days. Long story but ds2,3 and df are estranged from ds1. They can't forgive him for something and are nc. Only ds2 is home this year, but hes been very much "its your house hes your son, I will try and be civil but I wont talk to him" but he can be volatile so a blow up is not out of the question.So rather than him being alone again for Christmas ds1 is coming here. Ds 3 and dd have said they wont do a video call opening presents if hes there but they understand and still love us. Dh is saying I don't want their presents and hes angry that we are the ones who suffer. My blood pressure is actually sky high. But, I will plaster on.a smile, try not to cry(I am now) and not have a heart attack.
For all those who are having it tough.💜

Sending love to all the posters I mean 💐

My wonderful Grandad died holding my hand earlier this year. He was like a father to me.
My Dad will be with us for Christmas and he has mental health problems.
I was diagnosed with autism this year and my husband has said some very cruel things about it.
I am waiting for treatment for PTSD from a horrific accident which nearly killed me and still causes me pain and limited mobility.
My Mum died 5 years ago today.
I need spinal surgery but may end up having to go private which will massively eat into the house deposit we have been saving up, and limit our choices. We are cramped in a tiny 2 up 2 down with three kids and desperate to move.

I really really hope you can find somewhere to live. Hugs.