Every December, millions of children write letters to Santa Claus, and we tend to perceive this as a sweet holiday tradition. But if you look closely, this practice hides surprisingly accurate psychology: the ability to formulate desires, acknowledge one’s needs, believe in results, and feel gratitude. Adults need this just as much — it’s just that we have long stopped admitting it to ourselves. Writing a letter to Santa Claus is a safe way to bring to light what has long been brewing inside and finally hear oneself — isn’t this, in essence, the main miracle that each of us so needs? Psychologist Marat Vakhtin spoke about important nuances.
It teaches to honestly name one’s desires
Adults often do not have a problem with desires themselves — but there is a huge problem with accessing them. We complicate, rationalize, and are afraid to admit even to ourselves what we really want because it is "not the right time," "not reasonable," or "too much." "In the letter, however, childlike logic applies: you can name everything, even shameful, awkward, and imperfect things. The psyche relaxes, and deep desires become more noticeable. This is the first step towards change — to see one’s own request without social filters," explains the expert.
It returns a sense of permission to be oneself
Most adults live in a mode of correctness; we have been taught since childhood how to live, what we should want. Writing a letter to Santa Claus is an intriguing ritual of inner permission, a kind of holiday of disobedience: you can want rest, love, peace, money, recognition. You can dream. You can ask for help, even if we are used to being buttoned up in a very cool business suit. At this moment, a person becomes a little more caring towards themselves — this reduces anxiety and strengthens the sense of support.
It structures chaos and reduces stress levels
When the head is full of plans, tasks, and worries, writing a letter becomes a gentle way to organize inner space. We carefully lay out on paper what otherwise wanders in circles and causes tension. "It is important that the letter is not a to-do list, but a conversation with oneself about what is important. The structure of desire creates a framework for thought, which in turn gives a sense of control that is so lacking in December when we tend to dramatize our experiences and achievements," emphasizes the psychologist.
It activates the intention effect — the first step towards actions
Psychologists have long said: when a desire is articulated and named, the brain begins to look for opportunities to realize it. The letter works as a trigger mechanism: we fix the direction, and throughout the year we start taking small steps, often without even realizing it. And this is no magic, but neurobiology. The formulation of desire creates an internal map that a person then follows.
It develops gratitude and a sense of completion for the year
It is customary to end the letter with words of gratitude — and here lies an important therapeutic effect. When a person recalls the good things that happened over the year, the psyche shifts from deficit to resourcefulness. This silences the inner critic, enhances the feeling of sufficiency, and helps to calmly conclude the year without the usual feeling of guilt that half of last year’s plans went awry.
Leave a comment