Surviving the Holiday Season...

Avoid negative people, including family members. Easier said than done, but makes a world of difference.

I also try to volunteer to help the needy on holidays. That has 2 benefits. First, it makes me feel better about myself b/c I am helping people. Second, it gives me an excuse to only spend half a day with my family, rather than the knock-down, drag-out events that usually occur where by the 6th hour everyone is bickering with one another about the most petty issues imaginable.

Finally, I try to keep to my regular schedule as much as possible. Sure, there are some holiday parties and whatnot, but I try to set things up so I still go to bed on time & complete basic cleaning tasks before they get piled up and overwhelming. I haven't been totally successful in the past so we'll see how it goes this year. ;)

good on ya siobhan!!!!!!!!!! jamie

Good Morning Everyone,

Taking care of yourself during a stressful holiday season is one of the best things you can do for yourself and those around you.

Try to set realistic goals for the holidays. Keep expectations simple for yourself and others. Make a budget and stick to it.  Financial worries add more stress.  Don't try to keep up with everyone else.  Seek out free activities.

If you sew or knit etc,  make some of your gifts.  I love to receive something made just for me.

Remember that the holidays are more than one day; they are part of a whole season.  Pace yourself.  Spread enjoyable activities throughout the entire season.

Try to stay in the present.  Look forward to the future.  Life is full of changes.  Consider what is important in your life and  good about these times.

Stay connected to others including here in the forum . 

Holiday blessings to all,

Kitt 

 

Gen,
I agree. Knitting does do wonders for the mind. Kinda like counting, but more productive. lol. I wouldn't really say it makes me "happy", per se, more like just not feeling totally depressed. Plus, the joy of seeing someone light up when they see your little knitted item is awfully rewarding.
I was trying to knit myself a belt the other day. Got a few feet of it done & then realized it was totally the wrong color. oops. That's what I get for trying to cheap out and use remnants rather than buying new yarn. ;)
I'm crossing my fingers that one of these interviews I have next week will turn into a job. Holidays are extra awful since I'm the only one in my family who doesn't have a job. I wanted to do small gifts but my family members apparently think that being unemployed means that one is totally unable to make any decisions on their own. So they're all talking about me saying the craziest things imaginable -- I shouldn't be buying anything, I can't afford it, they need to lie about why they don't want to do presents b/c I can't handle the truth, etc., etc., etc. And then they argue about whether I'm likely to be more depressed if we do presents or if we don't.

What on earth!!! I'm perfectly capable of determining what I do or do not have money for. And I'd much rather hear the worst possible truth than have my own family gossiping about me, making decision for me like I'm a vegetable, and making totally ignorant guesses about what will worsen my depression. For crying out loud!!! I just want a quiet, peaceful holiday. Is that really too much to ask?!!!

Guess I need to get back to my knitting. Good grief am I aggravated!

Knit, knit, knit ...

I am indescribably grateful and relieved there is a forum where issues can be discussed, and experiences shared. I will never forget what a lifesaver it was to find HealingWell  years ago. I was so lost, so confused and confounded...it's helped me grow and heal in unforeseen ways...and, amazingly, I've made friends here that I wouldn't trade for all the money in the world.

Sure, every sitaution has its share of downers. Every crowd has a few "negatories" who are going to try and bring you down to their level. But you can walk away when it gets to be too much, or if the vibe isn't helpful on a given day.

I appreciate all the positive comments.  Thanks everyone.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

I just wanted to bump this up. For those of us who's finances are short at this time of year, I have learned that waiting on the shopping sometimes helps. I have been finding that shopping on the internet gets better as the prices come down and they often don't charge shipping. Just a tip that I wanted to add.

Hugs, Karen

Thank you guys for all the positive tips for the holidays, heaven knows I need them! My tip to add is to keep in mind the important things. Sometimes I get too caught up in the trivial everyday worries and stresses and forget to enjoy my little ones, and share my love with them. Merry Christmas to y'all!

Good Morning Everyone,

I am doing well but I will admit as Christmas draws closer it is hard for me not to remember all the people missing from my life - my family.  I know many of you have lost family and I am going to post a few things that I am trying to do to stay in the spirit of what Christmas is all about.

Lighting a candle is a sacred ritual in many different traditions and religions. I will light a candle to burn at our home to remember the ones I loved so much.  It will shine brightly in their memory.

The Kindness Project is a way of remembering a loved one and creating a legacy of love in memory of someone who has died. A loved one is remembered by a random act of kindness in memory of the person who has died, as a way of letting others know that this person's life continues to matter. Everytime I have been out shopping or to lunch I have taken the time to help anyone who asks me a question.  Yesterday I spent 20 minutes helping a lady at Starbuck pick out the right coffee and gift set for her Mother-in-law. 

Also we adopt a family and this year it was a family of 5.  As I would have spent money of my loved ones for special gifts I now spend that money on a family.

It makes me feel happy to be kind to others as we never know what problems they may have of their own.

Holiday Greetings to All,

Kitt

 

Kitt,
What a sweet idea about giving gifts to a needy family. I love that. Along those same lines, when my family was fighting with me one holiday and refused to come over for dinner, after I had gone out and bought all the food, I partnered with a friend and invited 8 random people who didn't have families over to share a huge meal in my home. That was probably one of the best holidays ever.