12/12/2016 1 Comment Diagnosis Christmas StressStressed out. Crabby. Crotchety. Overwhelmed. Do any of these describe you? All of them describe me, and especially my husband as of late. Christmas is not what it used to be, when I was small, it was about family and Christmas music, playing in the snow, wonder, excitement, enjoying each others company; anymore it's about gifts, things, shopping, more stuff that just gets played with for a few days if you are lucky, then tossed under the bed, never to be seen again. For some people, it's about keeping up with the Joneses. I don't know about you, but I am tired, Christmas isn't fun anymore, it is stressful. Super, anxiety inducing, stressful. In addition, when you merge two people from different backgrounds it makes it so hard. Keeping it real, growing up we didn't have a lot of money, and yet, I don't ever remember worrying about it, or even realizing how little we had. Times were simpler then, somewhat. Yes, we had designer clothes, but nobody was running around with the latest iphone or android at the age of 9. I was still playing with dolls (when I was forced to) with my younger sister, we played cards, read books, colored, helped bake cookies and sang Christmas carols. We enjoyed it fully, not just with anticipation for what "we" were going get. My parents weren't ones to even care about keeping up with the Joneses, so I was never envious. Having two sibling, and being stuck in the middle also made a difference. My DH, on the other hand, is an only child, and they had quite a bit more than we did, he had a television in his bedroom and a gaming system. Out of both of us, he is the one who tries to keep up with the Joneses, I am okay living a more simple life. Sure, if we had millions of dollars, I could enjoy shopping without guilt, there are definitely things I would have no problem buying, I am human, I'm not totally self-less. Yet, we don't have millions of dollars, and I'm okay with that. Money can't buy me happiness. Happiness comes from being content with what you have, and I am. With that said, being content with what I have, doesn't mean everyone else is content with what we have. That is where stress comes in, partly because we have more than enough, so I don't understand not being content. Of course there are things I want, but I have way more now and so do my kids, than when I was growing up. Those "things" will come eventually, I don't have to have them now. Deciding to stay-at-home and homeschool, I knew I would have to make some sacrifices, that was a choice I made. Yes, it has been trying some days, at the same time, it has been so worth it. Anyway, the "me, me, me", "buy, buy, buy" marketing drives me nuts, people have forgotten what is important and that stresses me out. I don't like having to keep up with everyone else, I don't want to, I don't care what everyone else is doing. Just because someone else is doing it, why does that mean, we have to do it. It is exhausting. When you are chasing after everyone else's dreams, life's desires, aspirations for their kids, it stretches your funds so thin, you can't enjoy your life, you can't enjoy your own childrens uniqueness, it is an energy sapping dance. Christmas should be fun. It should be about helping people who need help more than you, it should be about compassion, and family and friends. My kids have been so excited about Christmas, they want to play Christmas music, and watch movies. Being so stressed out, I have been a total Grinch, allowing what I think someone else feels or wants, or is, to dictate my mood. NO more. We are going to put on Christmas music, sing songs, and make crafts. We are going to go ring the bell for Salvation Army, I want my kids to learn that Christmas is not about them, it's about helping others, and celebrating our Savior's birth. I'm going to give them the gift of giving back, maybe they won't appreciate it, but they will always remember it. Maybe when they get older, they will look back and not remember how grumpy I was, but remember that mom joyfully seized the Christmas Spirit. After all.... Affiliate links are used on my blog, while thay don't cost you anything, they do help support my family.
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AuthorJust a mom with kids, needing an outlet. I want to tell my stories, share my thoughts, in the hope that they may help someone who feels like she is the only one losing her marbles. I can assure you, we are not alone. Archives |