With Christmas now a day behind us, I am again reminded that all those things I was stressing about before the big day, really don't matter. The kids had a wonderful Christmas - the "best Christmas ever!" according to my 8 yr old daughter. My son, age 14, loves his rattan swing chair and they are both so ready for bed each and every night. That's how I spell success! Now we will entertain a house of 17 family members, so we'll see how smoothly that goes. While I regret now being able to get every single cleaning task done, I'm sure we'll have a great time.
Why do we stress out about every single detail when we all should know by now that the holidays speed by in a flurry of flying wrapping paper and bows? Christmas letters can easily be called New Years letters, so we have forgiveness for now getting them out before Christmas and any baking not done can be done while company is hanging out in the kitchen area or relatives can make a trip to the grocery store. Most people are thankful for a few minutes away from the chaos and don't give it a second thought.
The simplicity of this causes me to shake my head in embarassment that I allow myself to get so worked up. So am I the only one who does this ridiculous dance of stress and post-holiday guilt?
Unfortunately, I think many of us walk the tightrope of stress and guilt - especially during the holiday season. I feel like I should double the dose of happy pills starting in October just to get through the holiday season. How awful is that? When did it come to that point and why do I allow it to continue? I haven't found the answer yet. If you find it before me, please share!
ReplyDeleteAs we are getting back into the swing of our lives (post holidays), I hear so many people say that they are happy the holidays are over. It leaves me wondering where we got off track. We all say that we LOVE Christmas and we LOVE the holidays, yet we are so ready for them to be over. Is it that the pressure increases for us to make the "perfect" holiday for our kids and families? Do we add more unnecessary tasks to our holiday to-do list? Or do we forget the reason for the season? Every year we hope for it to be different and yet each year is the same. Breaking the cycle means making different choices before the season starts. What do we change? What do we give up? Are we willing to give up anything? If and not, why are we surprised that each year continues the same unfulfilling, stressful cycle? I hope I find what thing(s) I will change before the next holiday season is upon me. Would it be amazing to go through the holidays truly relaxed and immersed in the joy and peacefulness of the season? Maybe that should be our New Year's Resolution.
ReplyDeleteA couple years ago we felt the holidays were enjoyable and I'm sure part of that was due to having gifts purchased early then STOPPING. I'm always amused by the notion of trying to squeeze events with everyone we know onto the calendar in a four week period and yet the rest of the year goes by with barely a phone call. THAT to me is insanity and heightens the anxiety level. Perhaps that's where I'll start this year; make a point to gather with friends and family throughout the year more often.
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