Holiday stress is common from Thanksgiving through Christmas even sometimes through the New Year. The sources are obvious such as work and family. Demands of both almost make it impossible for some to find joy during the Holiday season.
Work. Year end and month end coming up means making month end and year end goals. Christmas parties full of food and drink plus putting professional relationships into a social setting. Myself, I have only attended one Christmas party of my employer because I rarely share my personal life at work and discussing shop outside of work isn’t for me.
Family. One would think that being around loved ones at Christmas is the best feeling ever which many people experience bliss. Others just being around other family members is stressful and causes anxiety maybe from unmet expectations that are placed on them which heightens during the Holidays. My younger adult years were getting a call from my Mom telling me what I was going to do over Christmas without exception. Her guilt was me driving through massive snowstorms to get there on country roads that are barely plowed then having to leave later on Christmas Day to drive home to work on the 26th. She would then call me to let me know of all the “fun” that I missed. One year, I refused to travel for the Holiday which I experienced peace for the first time on December 25th with no expectations and no risking my life on the road.
As we mature, I hope that none of us add pressure to our loved ones during the Holidays. The expectations can be overwhelming for your adult kids and grandkids. Please consider what is happening in their lives like you needed when you were younger. Actively seeking what everyone needs and yourself might add joy and peace at Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Leslie Elizabeth David.
The Magnificent Modern Mature Woman 