It has begun. No doubt you already feel that steady increase in momentum as the calendar powers its way to a frantic conclusion. Ready of not, the Holiday Season is upon us.
Yes, it’s that joyous time of year when we’re all expected to not only satisfy our regular, everyday obligations, we’re also supposed to juggle a gajillion other commitments.
You say you work 50 hours each week, are responsible for getting the kids to school, and must make time to shuttle Uncle Edgar to physical therapy appointments, keep food in the house, give the pets their medications every day, and be home so the cable guy can fix your Internet service? Well, you’re still expected to get those greeting cards in the mail, pronto, and get through that long holiday gift list.
What is more, you’ll also be expected at an absurd number of seasonal functions. There’s the pageant at the children’s school, the community tree lighting and sing-a-long, Cousin Miranda’s performance as a mouse in her dance academy’s production of The Nutcracker, a handful of festive gatherings in support of charitable causes, the craft bazaar at church, the office party at your work, the staff soiree at the wife’s place of employment, Aunt Gladys’ annual cookie decorating affair (followed by her Ladies Group Cookie exchange), the Civic Choir’s Christmas recital, your neighbor’s Yuletide BBQ bash, an invitation to accompany your sister’s clan for ice skating, and that get together with those old, dear friends who were so nice to seek out your company but live two counties over, gosh darn it.
It’s enough to make you ho-ho-hurl. Let’s face it, there is only so much time and only so much of you to go around. You cannot do everything. As difficult as it may be, you must pick and choose.
After all, you deserve a happy holiday time as much as anyone. Getting stressed over the sundry places you said you’d be and the too many things you have to do is no way to enjoy, as the song reminds us enough times to make you spit tinsel, the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. There’s no sense, and no joy, in working yourself to an even frazzlier frazzle because of all the things we’ve allowed ourselves to be expected to do.
So, consider this column this your Official Holiday Permission Slip to Take It Easy. Can you skip that gathering with those nice people this year? Yes, you can. And, if you don’t feel completely up to it, you can skip any other event, performance, or get together as well.
Give opting out a try, and see how you feel about it after the fact. If you find you regret not sharing time with this person or that group, make a note – literally, on your 2016 calendar – as a reminder of what you want to include in your season.
Remember, you are making memories for yourself, so make them pleasant. When you look back on the holidays, you want to feel the glow of time well spent, not relief that your busiest time of the year is finally over.
Give yourself the gift of being more selective about what you choose to do this season. Perhaps your stocking will then be filled with a little less “bah, humbug” and a little more “God bless us, every one.”
Pat Grimes, a former South Bay resident, writes from Ypsilanti, Mich. He can be reached at pgwriter@inbox.com.
