Community Chat

[gidgetgh]

Kind of an offshoot from @dooBdoo’s thread about the holidays. 

I am overdone and we still have days to go to get to Christmas. 

Just too much stuff to get done, trying to cram it all in before the midnight hour. I’ve had enough. It’s sapped the spirit from me. I can’t wait till it’s over.  I’m not depressed.  Quite frankly, I’m just sick of it. 

Before all the criticism comes rolling in, I take full responsibility for some of it. Trying to do too much. Shopping early, getting all that done, planning meals, etc. you know, all the holiday hoopla.  

Some of it it also just happened on its own.  Multiple doctor appointments this week, a doctor who thought it would be a great idea for me to cram in 8 physical therapy sessions in the middle of all this before he schedules the inevitable surgery on my knee. That seemed to be the cherry on top. And my knee which is not good right now and I’m aware of that. Also, my husband has some health issues and isn’t the greatest right now and I’m not quite sure what to make of all that and that’s on my mind. 

Starting today, 4 straight days of lunches with friends. Then Christmas Eve with my husband’s family, Christmas Day with my family. Cooking and eating. 

We didn’t even put up a tree this year because I just ran out of steam. And I’m perfectly fine with that. I did put out some minimal decorations and bought several of the pop up cards that Hallmark put out this year. I really enjoy looking at those. 

But I am just overdone.  I talked to my husband and this is a real turning point for me. I’m going to make a concerted effort for next year to be much simpler. I’m going to strive for that. And to be honest, I’m never really over the top at Christmas compared to what some people do.....multiple trees, parties, stuff like that. 

Anyway, just venting this morning. 

[vermint]

No criticism from me...it's too easy to get overwhelmed at this time of year! Add in dr. appointments, etc. and whew. My oncologist wanted to do a CT scan this week. That entails 3 appts.--bloodwork, scan, dr. visit, all within a week. I said no, I'll schedule it for the week after New Year's, no sooner. And that's what we did. I don't do a lot of decorating, entertaining, etc. but there are a couple of family things this weekend. Also, it's year end at work, and everything needs to be to the accountant before we leave on Friday, since we're closed next week...and I'm the only "admin" person, so I'm the only one who can do it. I just didn't need the extra stress of the doctor visits!

Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

[chrystaltree]

Venting's good.  Just remember this post next year and change things.  It's 100% within your power.  Start early, scale back, do things differently; there are 1000 ways to make the holidays less stressful.  The holidays arrive the same time every single year so think the key to starting early and planning.

[faeriemoon]

The holidays are mentally draining.  

[software]

Going to be a grandmother again on Thursday.

Plop that down in the middle of your Christmas!

[nana59]

You took the words right out of my mouth......feeling very over-whelmed....physically and emotionally....

[gidgetgh]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

Venting's good.  Just remember this post next year and change things.  It's 100% within your power.  Start early, scale back, do things differently; there are 1000 ways to make the holidays less stressful.  The holidays arrive the same time every single year so think the key to starting early and planning.

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@chrystaltree- thanks.  I appreciate your comments.  I think that’s part of my problem though. I DO start really early and I’m the most organized person on the planet. My out of town packages were sent two weeks before Thanksgiving. 

Scaling back is what I’m going to work toward. I think that by starting really early, which is what I like to do, that I’m sick of it by the time it all gets here.  And then you add in the unexpected therapy appts and multiple doctor appts and lunches with friends and that tipped the balance. 

Next year, some of the lunches are going to be moved till after Christmas. It’s not like there’s a deadline for when you can have a holiday lunch, LOL. 

[gidgetgh]

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@software wrote:

Going to be a grandmother again on Thursday.

Plop that down in the middle of your Christmas!

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@software- I think that’s the only thing I’m missing!  Best wishes on your new grandchild. 

[lulu1]

For me there is never too much Christmas.  I get depressed when the holidays are over.  The house looks so special when we Deck the Halls. (and everything else)

[GCR18]

At this point, you know what's coming.  Simplify what you can.  If you're bringing presents along to the luncheons, get them ready and put them all in the car.  Maybe you can switch a couple to coffee instead and meet up at the coffee shop.  Whatever foods you have for the get togethers go with it.  If there's a simple less ingredients/steps recipe, use it.  Anything you haven't purchased, buy it premade.  That should take the edge off and you can enjoy the holiday.