The last few years I have not enjoyed the Christmas holiday season very much. I am overwhelmed by my health issues, my mother's health issues, worry about my siblings, financial burdens, and fatigue. I have had something drastic happen to me or someone I care about every fall for the last four years. Instead of anticipating traditional holiday fun I am shell shocked, waiting for the next shoe to fall, the next disaster to happen.
I find myself surrounded by people busily working on their holiday task lists - putting up decorations, buying gifts, shopping, all full of Christmas spirit. I don't think I will be doing very much for the holidays this December as once again my timing with health issues stinks. I try very hard not to "Bah Humbug" everyone else, or be to Grinchly, as this used to be one of my favorite times of the year too. The entire holiday experience is overwhelming for me anymore.
Because of The Headache and The Legs, I avoid walking too much (which means even shopping - my mind still refuses to think of shopping as exertion!), avoid crowds, avoid too much bright light or too much contrasting light (dark and bright), and avoid loud noises and way too much cheerful muzak. I try to stick to small gatherings and avoid big family and formal parties since I think it is easier to minimize the impact of my surroundings with smaller crowds and less formal settings. I have to admit my avoidance of holiday muzak is not due to health reasons, it comes from working at places that have non-stop holiday music for four months. Auuuuugh!
I don't have a lot of pointers on how to maximize the holidays, as most of my holidays anymore are taken up with minimizing the scope of my celebrations. I guess I just have to make the best of what I can do, and maybe take advantage of some of the benefits of having to take lots of different medications. I have trouble with nausea and the medication I take to control that can be very sedating. The nausea can come from nothing, or from eating, or maybe from way way too much cheerful muzak. Some of the uncontrollable movement I have if I overtake these meds could make me rival Elaine's dancing on Seinfeld. That would be a real party moment!!! I might decide to overtake it on purpose just so I can groove to the tunes Elaine style!
Hoping you all have great fun this Holiday season, don't over do it and don't listen to way way way too much cheerful muzak.
Congrats on trying! I am just completely skipping Christmas this year.
ReplyDeleteKristin: I think having surgery puts Christmas on the back burner pretty easily. you may find yourself feeling better even that soon tho!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't do much for Christmas either, but I do put up a few things for my grandkids. I'd love to have a big real tree in the living room and lights in the yard, but that means taking the time and effort to put them up and then take them down, all the while dealing with the PIFP and photosensitivity and all that jazz. I also don't tolerate cold or wind at all like I used to, and that makes spending time outside something I avoid like the plague unless it's necessary....like doing my chicken chores. We need to move somewhere warmer when hubby retires. This isn't fun any more.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Trisha
I guess all we can do is what we can do. I really hope you get as much holiday joy as is possible.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Trisha: Understand the problem with cold - for some reason it just goes right through me. I did move to Arizona for a little over a year, but the neverending sunshine made me sick!
ReplyDeleteI have to get up on a ladder to get down decorations, not able to do it this year. So I have a few table top decorations I will pull out of a drawer somewhere. HO HO ho.... sigh
Migrainista: I still LIKE Christmas, I just don't have the energy to do the parts I really enjoyed - decorate, shop, have lots of food and people over. I think it would be different if I had children/grandchildren.
I really am never in the mood at this time of the year. Just waiting for January now Blessings to you dear one.
ReplyDeleteThank heavens for online shopping, right?
ReplyDeleteSo sorry this season has been rough - I hope there is some (more) relief on the horizon for you.
JBR: I start the January countdown beginning at Thanksgiving. Before the last few years I LOVED this time of year (except for the muzak). Maybe its being older and having no young nieces/nephews around too. sigh.
ReplyDeleteEmily:
Yes - the advent of the internet has made my life easier, but I'm a last minute touch it feel it type of inspired shopper. The internet takes away from that spontaneity - I have to plan and search but at least only my hands get tired!
Hoping you have a good holiday season!
Winny,
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up on my blog reading so sorry this is a late comment. I understand where you're coming from. I've skipped doing a Christmas tree in the past from exhaustion and not wanting to spend the money. Some people go overboard, so don't let their type-A personalities get you down. Instead, think of it as other people doing extra work for you, if that makes sense. So when you go out, you can enjoy looking at their decorations without having to put up your own. I hope things get better for you and hope no shoes fall next year...and if they do, I know you have the strength to handle it. You're a tough cookie. :)
Heather: I such a tough cookie anymore I think I'm made of rawhide. :)
ReplyDeleteI did decide this year just to enjoy everyone elses decorations. My sister always has a beautiful tree up. Me, nuthin yet cause I have every put up high where right now I can't get to it. Next year will be better!!!