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Join Derrick & Friends on Christmas Night for "Pretty Paper!" with Warriors for Life (WFL)

Join our Volunteer, Army Veteran & Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor Derrick Iozzio TONIGHT for "Forever Forward!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).


We are asking everyone to share who we are and what support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing via WFL. If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.


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TONIGHT's Topic:  "Pretty Paper!"


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Join Derrick and friends Christmas Night for a discussion about "Pretty Paper!" A discussion about masking emotions during the holidays. 


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Masking emotions during Christmas is like wrapping a fragile, broken gift in shiny paper: it creates a cheerful, festive exterior (the "pretty paper") that conceals internal distress, burnout, or grief. This pressure to appear happy during the holidays can worsen mental health, leading to exhaustion, isolation, and increased anxiety.

 

Key aspects of this comparison include:


  • The "Pretty Paper" Facade: Similar to beautiful gift wrap, masking involves forcing a smile, acting cheerful, and pretending everything is fine to fit the societal expectation of a "perfect," joyous Christmas.

  • Concealing the Fragile Interior: Just as paper hides what's inside, masking suppresses genuine feelings of depression, anxiety, or grief, particularly if the holiday triggers painful memories or loss.

  • Exhaustion and Burnout: Maintaining this facade is emotionally draining. Constant monitoring and suppression of true emotions can lead to burnout, similar to the physical energy required to meticulously wrap many gifts.

  • Missed Support: Just as you cannot see what is inside a wrapped box, masking prevents loved ones from seeing the true state of your mental health, which can hinder you from getting the support you need.

  • Unresolved Distress: Putting paper over something broken does not fix it. Similarly, suppressing emotions during the holidays often leads to a buildup of unresolved feelings and worsened mental health in the long term. 


To avoid this, it is recommended to manage expectations, practice self-compassion, and allow oneself to feel authentic emotions rather than forcing a "brave face". 


Masking Can Look Like


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The link is to a Youtube of Willie singing the song


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Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Forever Forward!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Thursday (TONIGHT), December 25, 2025, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET



Thank you,


Derrick Iozzio,

Army Veteran, Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor, Catch 22 Peer Support Founder, & Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)


"Honor & Respect Always — Warriors for Life!"

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