Comments on: Take Good Care During the Holidays

By: timethief

timethief — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:57:39 +0000

Hi Lana,
I have witnessed the same as well. It’s high expectations that lead to free fall face plants. Like you I am childfree so I have no pressure in that regard. We celebrate Winter Solstice with our friends (a huge potluck party, bon fire and music and dancing), and we visit all the way through the holiday season.

By: Lana

Lana — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:13:14 +0000

I've seen a lot of stress & disappointment as a direct result of peoples' expectations over the holidays. As a result, I stopped celebrating holidays (except a yearly, private Samhain overnight somewhere in nature,) years ago. When you treat Xmas like any old Tues., it has a better chance of turning into a great day. Of course, having no kids, I have the luxury of making this decision, but that's another story! .-= Lana´s last blog ..In With the Used... =-.

By: timethief

timethief — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:55:58 +0000

Hello there. It’s so good to hear from you. You’re right abut the holiday season it shouldn’t a contest to compare the goods we are hyped into buying each other. That’s exactly why we left the gift giving behind year ago. You are very lucky if you don’t have problematic relatives because many of us do. Thanks for your well wishes I hope you have a happy holiday and a good new year too.

By: timethief

timethief — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:50:56 +0000

I too prefer the long days of late summer and early fall. We celebrate Winter Solstice with friends. The rest of the Christmas hype we left behind years ago. Instead we use the downtime to read, piece jigsaw puzzles, visit and indulge ourselves in doing whatever we feel like doing. Thanks for your well wishes. Best wishes to you for a happy holiday season too.

By: lisleman

lisleman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:26:38 +0000

TT – It has been awhile since we exchanged some comments. I have not been on BC much lately. IMHO – holiday stress comes the marketing hype of being told to enjoy the holidays (buy more stuff) and the thought that we are being judged by others. The holidays should not be a contest.
The “relative reality” is interesting. I can’t think of any problem relatives. Maybe I just know everyone is different and have their own opinions. Why should anyone expect their relatives to be perfect?
.-= lisleman´s last blog ..stay relaxed for the holidays =-.

By: nothingprofound

nothingprofound — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:54:03 +0000

I don’t celebrate the holidays. I treat them like any other time of the year. I do my usual things that I enjoy and don’t feel any pressure to make it a special time. I do prefer the warmth and long days of summer but winter doesn’t depress me. I enjoy being lazy and frittering around the house and I go for walks whenever I see the least gleam of sunshine. It’s also very gray where I live, we average 300 cloudy days a year, but I’ve gotten used to it and find there’s still lots of things to appreciate and look at. I hope your holiday season turns out to be a happy one and the rest of winter as well.