Heck, even the kid’s gagging. And she’ll probably have all sorts of presents tossed her way between now and December 31. I’m telling you, this can be the wackiest time of the year. And if you think you’re oversensitive or strange because of a hyperactive gag reflex, you’re all kinds of wrong…
Do you feel left-out, haunted, misunderstood, cheated, angry, or longing? Maybe all you can put your finger on are overwhelming feelings of exhaustion and sadness.
In the opening sentence of his 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens painted a picture of the times in Paris and London before and during the French Revolution. Man, what beautiful writing. Is it any wonder over 200 million copies of the book have been sold?
As my 65th holiday season commences, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” wonderfully captures my feelings, my perspective. At the snap of a finger, I can recall times of tremendous togetherness, warmth, and love. And the next snap can bring memories of isolation, coldness, and emptiness.
Hmmm.
How’s By You?
As conversations turn to holiday plans, shopping lists, and times past and future, I thought I’d put all the hubbub on the table and see where we are.
So, then, how are things by you right about now?
For all I know you may love the holiday season. But I’ve learned over the years that many who endure mood or anxiety disorders really struggle this time of year. I mean, there are the memories, family dynamics, expectations, disappointments, perceived shortcomings, and so much more.
If you’re having, or anticipating, a rough go this holiday season, what’s your angle on it? As I said in the opening paragraph, do you think you’re oversensitive or strange? Do you feel left-out, haunted, misunderstood, cheated, angry, or longing? Maybe all you can put your finger on are overwhelming feelings of exhaustion and sadness.
Though I’m in a good place this year, I’ve had my share of brutal seasons. I get it.
What Are We to Do?
So what are we to do about it? Actually, I’d like you to share your thoughts and feelings in a comment below or over on the Chipur Facebook page. You’ll see this article posted.
For whatever it’s worth, here’s my take…
Each of us are precious souls, deserving of the acceptance and love of others – and self. We’re human, so we feel pain and anger, as well as comfort and joy. To believe the latter are the only tolerable feelings for this, or any, time of year is absurd.
We own our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. And I believe we are who we are in any given moment for perceived good reason. Sure, it’s incumbent upon us to make indicated adjustments. But we’re all wired differently, so what may seem obvious to one could be a distant concept to another. And that’s where acceptance and skip the judgement come into play.
Bottom-line? If the onset of the holiday season brings you a case of the gags, hack away.
But do yourself one huge favor, okay? Become very familiar with your coping and grounding strategies and techniques, and keep them in your back pocket at all times. I mean, if we’re expecting some serious suckage, we owe it to ourselves to be prepared.
Oh, and if you don’t have coping and grounding strategies and techniques, find and develop some.
All Set
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…”
Kind of acknowledges all points of reality, doesn’t it? Let’s allow the beauty of those words to work for us throughout this wackiest time of year.
(Happy Holidays?)
Hundreds upon hundreds of Chipur mood and anxiety related articles are waiting for you. You may need them between now and the end of the year.
