E985 The Emotional Toll of Missing Holidays in Uniform | Tactical Living Podcast

You signed up to serve. But no one warned you how much it would hurt to miss the moments that matter most. In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton explore the hidden emotional cost of working holidays year after year (Amazon Affiliate)—and how it slowly chips away at connection, tradition, and even self-worth.


🔎 Episode Overview:
Missing a holiday shift here and there is expected. But when you're always on duty while your family celebrates without you, the emotional fallout goes deeper than most people realize.


This episode dives into how working holidays affects long-term family connection, your own memories and rituals, and how the absence can quietly turn into resentment—from you, your spouse, or your kids. You’ll learn how to make peace with the role, honor what you're sacrificing, and rebuild meaningful traditions—on or off the calendar.


🧠 5 Emotional Realities of Missing Holidays for Years


You Feel Disconnected From Family Traditions
Example: You forget what your own holiday routines even looked like.
Impact: Creates emotional distance and a sense of being left out of your own life.


Your Kids Associate the Holidays With Your Absence
Example: “Daddy’s always gone on Christmas.”
Impact: Shapes childhood memories with feelings of loss or confusion.


Your Spouse Feels Like They’re Doing It All Alone
Example: Planning, decorating, cooking, parenting—without you.
Impact: Builds quiet resentment and emotional fatigue.


You Start to Numb Out or Dread the Season Entirely
Example: Holidays no longer excite you—they make you feel bitter or detached.
Impact: Prevents joy, connection, and meaningful reflection.


You Avoid Talking About How Much It Actually Hurts
Example: “It’s just part of the job,” becomes a coping phrase.
Impact: Buries pain instead of processing it, deepening long-term emotional strain.


🛠️ 5 Ways to Reclaim Meaning—Even When You’re Working


Create “Alternate Holidays” on Your Days Off
Make your own traditions on different days. The date isn’t what matters—the connection is.


Leave a Presence, Even If You Can’t Be There
Letters, videos, gifts, or planned activities can help your family feel seen even in your absence.


Be Honest With Your Family About the Sacrifice
Let them know how much it matters to you—even if you can’t be home.


Make Peace With the Role, But Not at the Cost of Your Emotions
Acknowledge the loss. Don’t normalize pain just because it’s routine.


Find One Ritual That Grounds You in the Season
Even if it’s just a holiday playlist during patrol—something to remind you that this time still matters.


🎯 Why This Episode Matters
Serving during the holidays is a sacrifice—but it doesn’t mean you're not allowed to feel the weight of it.
Your absence doesn’t make you less important. It makes you human—and worthy of finding connection in new, creative ways.


🎙️ Listen now to unpack the long-term emotional effects of working holidays and learn how to honor what you’ve missed without losing what still matters most.

 

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💬 Listener Question:
What’s one small act of service you can do today to honor someone who served? Let us know in the Facebook group or DM us on Instagram!

 

Disclaimer:
All viewpoints discussed in this episode are for entertainment purposes only and reflect our personal opinions based on our own experiences, background, and education.

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