Thank you for sharing this, Diane! I feel like I have a foot in both worlds... I have such a tough time with the holidays and darker days of the year, but I am also overwhelmed with busyness and putting on a brave/happy face for my children. These are all wonderful suggestions for both myself and my interactions with others.
Thanks for sharing, Katie. Yeah, the brave/happy face - I struggle with that at times myself. You are an amazing individual - wishing you all the best in the new year!
Dec 21, 2023·edited Dec 21, 2023Liked by Diane Hatz
I don't dislike the holidays and I don't have any negative feelings or experiences but I am very apathetic towards them. I didn't grow up celebrating Christmas (I was 14 the first time we did) and so it's not something that excites me. At first I loved it for the presents, but as I've become an adult and grown older, I can buy things when I want them so that has lost its allure too. To be honest, the only reason there is a Christmas tree in our home is because my husband put it up. I appreciate that because we do have a child and I don't want to be a Grinch and steal Christmas from him. But I do feel like a Grinch often even though I don't actively hate or sabotage the holidays.
I'm not sure why you'd feel like a Grinch - I think Christmas is way over-commercialized in order to sell stuff. I've developed certain rituals for myself - It's a Wonderful Life, Lord of the Rings movies, making cookies or something I wouldn't normally bake, making lasagna for New Year's. I also get myself flowers. So, I celebrate a bit - just with myself. But I'm not into the materialistic part of it. I also make gratitude lists and think about the coming year. The holiday can be a lot more than gifts. I think it's great you get a tree - such a great smell! I hope you have a great one this year - and know however you feel about it is fine!
Thank you for this wonderful post Diane. I have multiple reasons for not liking the holidays and it always such a hard time of year for me. I have great compassion for anyone who struggles through this time of year.
Thanks, Pamela - it's so good to know i'm not alone. There were more people than I thought that emailed me privately saying it's not their favorite time of the year either - so we've got a lot of company. May you have a peaceful couple week sand do something really good for yourself.
This will be my 86th Christmas. I've gone from decorating every room in the house to doing almost nothing. And I have lost most of my interest in the holidays - for a variety of reasons. The commercialization , the length of the season, which now seems to start before Halloween, the family is grown or out of town, and some important members are no longer with us. Having said that, I am also very appreciative for what we are doing and what we have.
I so hear you. And agree - even though I might not like the commercialism and stress, I do take time to be grateful and appreciative of all that I have. Happy Holidays!
What a wonderfully written article. Great tips. I also hate this time of year. But we're only 3 days from the solstice and then it will start to get lighter. And in a few days time it will all be done for another year. Take care x
Thanks for sharing this, Diane. Holidays can be rough, especially when far from family. I might be visiting NM in the near future. I’ll let you know and maybe we can meet up to talk about writing and Substack. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for sharing this, Diane! I feel like I have a foot in both worlds... I have such a tough time with the holidays and darker days of the year, but I am also overwhelmed with busyness and putting on a brave/happy face for my children. These are all wonderful suggestions for both myself and my interactions with others.
Thanks for sharing, Katie. Yeah, the brave/happy face - I struggle with that at times myself. You are an amazing individual - wishing you all the best in the new year!
I don't dislike the holidays and I don't have any negative feelings or experiences but I am very apathetic towards them. I didn't grow up celebrating Christmas (I was 14 the first time we did) and so it's not something that excites me. At first I loved it for the presents, but as I've become an adult and grown older, I can buy things when I want them so that has lost its allure too. To be honest, the only reason there is a Christmas tree in our home is because my husband put it up. I appreciate that because we do have a child and I don't want to be a Grinch and steal Christmas from him. But I do feel like a Grinch often even though I don't actively hate or sabotage the holidays.
I'm not sure why you'd feel like a Grinch - I think Christmas is way over-commercialized in order to sell stuff. I've developed certain rituals for myself - It's a Wonderful Life, Lord of the Rings movies, making cookies or something I wouldn't normally bake, making lasagna for New Year's. I also get myself flowers. So, I celebrate a bit - just with myself. But I'm not into the materialistic part of it. I also make gratitude lists and think about the coming year. The holiday can be a lot more than gifts. I think it's great you get a tree - such a great smell! I hope you have a great one this year - and know however you feel about it is fine!
Thank you for this wonderful post Diane. I have multiple reasons for not liking the holidays and it always such a hard time of year for me. I have great compassion for anyone who struggles through this time of year.
Thanks, Pamela - it's so good to know i'm not alone. There were more people than I thought that emailed me privately saying it's not their favorite time of the year either - so we've got a lot of company. May you have a peaceful couple week sand do something really good for yourself.
This will be my 86th Christmas. I've gone from decorating every room in the house to doing almost nothing. And I have lost most of my interest in the holidays - for a variety of reasons. The commercialization , the length of the season, which now seems to start before Halloween, the family is grown or out of town, and some important members are no longer with us. Having said that, I am also very appreciative for what we are doing and what we have.
I so hear you. And agree - even though I might not like the commercialism and stress, I do take time to be grateful and appreciative of all that I have. Happy Holidays!
What a wonderfully written article. Great tips. I also hate this time of year. But we're only 3 days from the solstice and then it will start to get lighter. And in a few days time it will all be done for another year. Take care x
You too, Cali. And, yes! We're almost over the hump and headed toward more light on all levels. Have a restful next couple weeks.
Thanks for sharing this, Diane. Holidays can be rough, especially when far from family. I might be visiting NM in the near future. I’ll let you know and maybe we can meet up to talk about writing and Substack. Keep up the great work!
Oh DEFINITELY let me know if you plan to come here! It’s an amazing place if you haven’t been!