I don’t much care for the holiday season. The Christmas music is way overplayed and begins way to soon for anything I can sanely tolerate. The surge in advertising that creates an urge to buy things for the people I love is completely unwelcome. Then, there is the all-encompassing sense that you are just supposed to be happy and excited and ready for cheer. If you are someone who loves all these things and cannot wait for the insanity of shopping and blasts holiday music by choice from your personal music device then I am happy for you. Truly. Keep watching those holiday specials and enjoy every moment of this season.
If you are not one of those people and are in fact totally opposite to where the holidays actually bring a sense of dread and doom you are not alone. More importantly, we are not required to participate in any holiday activity that does not bring you happiness or fulfillment. You can even actively avoid anything that creates stress and anxiety. Unless you are not yet a legal adult and your parents require your presence and participation. If that is the case then I encourage you to speak with your parents and express what is going on for you.
You can say “no, thanks.”
For those of us who have reached adulthood- we have a choice. I recognize that it doesn’t feel like that at first, the pressure at this time of year is only just slightly less than what’s needed to create diamonds, probably only because if we could make diamonds it might alleviate some of the stress.
You can choose what things you want to participate in and to what degree. You don’t have to opt out of every holiday event. If there are pieces that you enjoy or certain things that do create memories and make you smile then do them. Do them as much or as little as you want.
What does it look like to pick and choose?
I stopped giving gifts. They aren’t in my budget and stressing over trying to figure out gifts that would be meaningful and useful and under $10 just gave me headaches. I do enjoy gift giving though so now I bake, making cookies and other desserts. Baking is something I love so I get a win all around. As for festivities, I attend 2 holiday parties. That’s it. This includes what I do with my family. These are things I enjoy doing and I have time for. I also know that this can change. Maybe I won’t want to make cookies. Maybe I won’t be in the mood. If that happens then its fine. Which means it’s fine for you too.
You do not owe anyone happiness, cheer or attention just because it’s the holidays.
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