Lots of work goes into making Christmas the most joyous time of year. Stockings are hung.
Trees are decorated. Ribbons, lights, and garland work to make the day merry and bright.
For some, the shopping begins after Thanksgiving.
Others shop a little at a time all year long.
Still others wait until the last minute.
Is it the 24th already?
Then there is the food prep - peeling, thawing, baking.
Different families have different traditions, but most all involve some sort of food.
In my family, there is no shortage of food and dessert.
But what happens when Christmas isn't all its cracked up to be?
When all the gifts are open, food is consumed,
and all that's left is the dread of dealing with the aftermath?
The trash bag full of ripped up paper, the dishes in the sink waiting to be scrubbed,
the decorations that can't find their way back into the box without your help.
Whether its too high expectations, or too low effort, sometimes Christmas is a disappointment.
Right now I just want it to be over. I've asked Jay to take the decorations down while I'm at work.
I read a blog yesterday comparing distance running and Christmas.
(I'd share the link if I could find it.)
Using that comparison, I definitely have the post-race blues.
I hoped for a PR and didn't get it.
I wanted a magical memory, but instead felt let down.
Trust me, I know how good I have it.
I understand this "less than" feeling is nothing more than a symptom of a charmed, first-world life.
People have real problems. Yet somehow I can get this nagging question out of my mind.
Christmas is over. Now what?
I can understand what you're saying. Definitely a first-world problem, like you said! This is especially noticeable to me after being in parts of a country that would definitely be considered third-world. But I definitely get what you're saying. And I haven't cleaned up anything yet. Talk about aftermath!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I was never in the Christmas spirit this year. I don't know if it was my attitude, expectations, or what, but I kind of "phoned it in" this year. I didn't pay attention at church on Christmas eve, and I have not spent much time in prayer lately. Also--I think I have been self medicating with lots of t.v. I have been so crazy busy that rather than create lists and be productive, I just lay around watching movie after movie.
ReplyDeleteI have been off for 9 days and I am completely content with being lazy and I am thinking of calling in sick tomorrow to work. I didn't decorate, all the gifts I bought were gift cards so there was not much prep/wrapping going on.
I am in a place where I don't give a crap about anything really. So--I don't really know what to do now.
First off, your home and decorations are GORGEOUS! :) This year, with running, work, trips out of town, etc, I felt stressed and behind all season. :( We put up our decorations late, sent our cards out at the last minute, finished shopping at noon on Christmas Eve, and finished wrapping by 3 PM on Christmas Eve. I just didn't get to devote the time and energy to enjoying Christmas like I usually do. We hosted a couple of dinners for friends and family after Christmas, which was actually nice and felt more like Christmas since the stress was over. Now, I'm ready to move on. Not every single Christmas is magical in the same way every year. I'm personally really enjoying some quiet moments now that the holiday is over. I think simple joy can be found in every day (I, like others, don't always see it). I hope you have a happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI have had the post holiday blues before. My grandma gets it really bad after every holiday or family gathering to the point of being bed bound to avoid the let down of it all being over. It is a real thing & very hard to fight w/o acknowledging that it IS real. I fight mine by keeping things as simple as possible & cutting out activities as soon as they start to feel stressful-this year we didn't do a big tree since Thanksgiving was so close to Christmas. Hugs!
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