No matter how I try this year I just can’t seem to get the Christmas spirit. The thought of Christmas brings on a mild to mid-range panic attack. Usually I begin my Christmas shopping in January because we have 1 major payday each month and I have to plan accordingly. By starting that early generally I’ve got my shopping completed by September or October and then all that’s left is planning the bus driver Christmas party and wrapping the gifts. This year I didn’t even start shopping until late October and ran out of time and money before the holiday arrived. I’ve not bought for half the people I usually buy for and I’m feeling guilt ridden. Why do we feel so pressured to spend like crazy at Christmas time? Why just because one year we were able to, do we feel that every year we must do as much if not more than the year before?

We usually go away for the holiday and see my sister in Ohio and spend a little time with my mom and brother in Kentucky but this year with my new job my work schedule has not allowed that. I’m not complaining because I’m thankful for my job and love what I’m doing but must admit that missing out on this annual trip has added to my Christmas anxiety and depression.

What does Christmas anxiety feel like? I can’t speak for everyone, but for me it takes on many forms. It can be debilitating to the point that I do absolutely nothing–including no shower and not getting out of my pajamas all day. It can look like a major depressive episode where I sleep all day and all night too. It can have me as fidgity as a cat on a hot tin roof where I feel as if I’m crawling out of my skin….those anxiety episodes are the worse because with them comes major irritability. It usually has my mind racing with worthless thoughts that keep me from being able to accomplish a thing. Sometimes it takes on multiple forms at one time so that I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. Regardless, it IS a real bummer whichever form it takes. That’s why I say the Grinch brings the anxiety.

But, I’ve been determined to fight back against this problem and try to enjoy the holidays despite the bah hum bugs. After all, we have many blessings for which to be thankful. We have two of our children in our lives and three of our beautiful grandchildren. We have our jobs and our health. We have our home and of course our dogs .

Speaking of the dogs, I’ve found great distraction in editing photos with Christmas backgrounds. I started by doing our dogs and it came out so welll that I volnteered on Facebook to do it for others in one of the doggie groups to which I belong and before I knew it I was inundated with requests. I’ve literally made thousands of doggie Christmas photos and it’s not only kept me busy it’s brought me great happiness. Here’s a picture of our dear sweet Presley as just an example of the many I did over the last 10 days or so. ‘

Friday I met friends Angela and Jessica in Charlotte for lunch and had a great time visiting and catching up with them. We don’t see each other near enough and have made a New Year’s goal to try to meet for lunch more often in 2024. Getting out and seeing friends did a lot to help brighten my mood and bring a bit of Christmas spirit my way.

We had our Christmas celebration with Phoebe and Ope yesterday and had a marvelous time. Phoebe had wonderful hor d’oeuvres and made a fabulous Cajun soup for our meal. We opened gifts and played the game Sarah gave me last year for Christmas called Game That Tune. It’s a fun card game played similar to Cards Against Humanity except you are given a situation and have to pick a song that fits the situation. It’s a ton of fun and we had a great time playing even though there were only three of us playing.

Tonight at work I made fudge with the ladies and we decorated sugar cookies for Christmas. Everyone seemed to have a good time and there was a great bit of good cheer and laughter. The Christmas spirit can come in all situations.

So, you see I’ve decided to thumb my nose at old Mr. Grinch and have fun this Christmas even if anxiety has been the main theme of December and the Christmas spirit was late in arriving. Sometimes you just need to remind yourself to fake it until you make it. Some years are harder than others but remembering the TRUE meaning of Christmas helps.