15-Minute Christmas

I thought Christmas was going to be awful.  My anxiety was over-the-top.  But tackle it in 15-minute chunks.  You can do anything for 15 minutes.

I only have a couple things left and it should be a good Christmas.

Now... the day AFTER Christmas when we go to my fiance's family's Christmas...  that's something else... 

Go try it.  15 minutes.

I had an unexpected burst of patience late at night after we brought the tree home. I took advantage of it and my (3 year old) son an I stayed up til midnight listening to Christmas music and decorating the tree.

Then an unexpected really bad day when I had to go to the mall to get his gift. I knew exactly what I was going to get - no shopping required. I was having panic attacks so bad and maxxed out on Klonopin. But I was working with my service-dog-in-training and she did perfectly, got me in and out and over the panic attacks.

But other than those, it's been a couple minutes here and there and not too bad. I ordered almost everything online! That way I didn't go into stores guessing what to get and stressing out if I was spening too much or getting the best deal. . And it arrived a piece at a time so I didn't have to wrap everything at once. My last anxiety causing things are 2 trips to the post office. Other than that, just some fun shopping.

I think that would set my expectations too high. :shrug: But that's just perfectionist me. I'm not looking at any magazines or anything. Too much pressure.

I try to watch light hearted Christmas movies with my kids.
When we decorated the tree last night without the help of my husband (he was xmas shopping) i just put on some Christmas music and let my kids 6 and 10 take the reins. I didn't really worry where they put them, I just told them to try and spread them out. I placed the ones they wanted up high and let the rest go. I try and do my Christmas shopping during the day when its not so crazy. This has helped me to try and take it in stride. Merry Christmas everyone.