The holidays are supposed to be a super happy time, filled with the joy of the season, carols, colorful decorations, bright lights everywhere, people being a little bit nicer to one another, and a time when family and friends make a bigger effort to get together than normal to enjoy one another’s company and to celebrate the season. It has also become a time when we seem to look over the true meaning of the season, and become too concerned with being excessive- the biggest, brightest, extravagant, and most expensive.
The holidays sound so blissful, why then do I get myself sooo stressed out over them?? It’s only December 1st and I’ve been stressed out since Thanksgiving. So as I was in line today checking out at the grocery store, where I once again picked the wrong line to be in with an irritated one year old in tow (it’s Murphy’s Law, happens every time, and I was behind a lady who I swear was on the show “Extreme Couponing” but I couldn’t find the camera crew anywhere), I began to analyze my laundry list of holiday stresses.
And then started to realize that those stresses – which I am sure quite a few of you can relate to, I should actually be thankful for. Here’s why:
- My house is a disaster area and needs a deep massive overhaul cleaning before the party I’m hosting at my house tomorrow. I have zero time to clean it myself or the money to hire a cleaning service which kind of puts a damper on things. (I’m sure you’d say, well quit blogging and go clean, but this is therapeutic for me- mopping isn’t.) Be Thankful I have a nice house with a roof over my head that needs cleaning. And be thankful all of the friends coming to the party have kids, so they understand if things aren’t going to be perfect.
- My kids don’t have matching outfits to go see Santa this weekend and I don’t really have time between now and then to go to the mall to buy them one. Be Thankful I have a closet full of hand me downs that I can choose from and my kids could honestly care less if they have new clothes to wear and neither does Santa- this is a personal problem.
- Just found out my son has 2 cavities that need filling this month plus some other unexpected home expenses. Don’t those things always pop up around the holidays?? Be Thankful we have dental insurance and my son actually enjoys going to the dentist even if it does involve novacaine-where did this kid come from?? I couldn’t find anything to be thankful for about the home problems, believe me I tried:-)
- I have a bare tree that isn’t decorated and I’m using paper plates and napkins for my Christmas party tomorrow. The paper products didn’t bother me until I came across this on House Beautiful website, which just took the wind out of my sails. Be Thankful we will have plenty of food that we will be eating at my get together on those paper plates, which also means I won’t have to do dishes after it’s over;-) The rest of my decorations will distract from the bare tree if it doesn’t get adorned.
- My one year old daughter is going through a reallly difficult stage of life right now. She has severe anxiety towards anyone other than my husband and me and she cries at the drop of a hat – literally- if she doesn’t get what she wants. Be Thankful she is even here. I went through lots of fertility treatments to get my two boys, and she was an absolute surprise/miracle. I’m thankful too, that I know this is just a phase, it too shall pass, I just need to be patient.
So I’ve come to realize that I put most of these stresses upon myself, which means I am also in control of how I perceive and handle them. I just need to enjoy the holidays and realize that everything and everyone does not need to be/or act perfect. I also realize most of them are rather petty too- paper napkins??-come on JennySue!!
A little humor always gets rid of my stress ball, and every time I here this part of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation when Clark’s stress level reaches its boiling point, I get the biggest chuckle…
