Christmas Blues...


Show me someone who is perpetually happy, cheerful and full of the holiday spirit and I'll show you a liar.  Or a good actor.  Because I truly believe that EVERYONE gets the Christmas blues during the period between Thanksgiving (maybe even before) and the New Year.  Or perhaps I should be more politically correct and say Holiday Blues.  But it doesn't really matter what I call it, it seems to me that this time of year, no matter how filled it is with music, decorations and endless sentimental movies on the Hallmark channels fills us all with sadness, gloom, malaise, or whatever you want to call it at some point.

Yes, even this seemingly happy blogger finds herself depressed during the season. I can't tell you exactly why.  Maybe it's the fact that money always seems to be so tight.  Now, don't get me wrong; I have enough (although don't we all want/need more) and I know that there are MANY others who have it much harder than I do, but the lack of endless financial resources seems to rear its ugly and jealous filled head more during the season when I want to give (and receive) more and more, and yet my wallet seems to have less and less.

Or maybe it's the darkness that envelopes my portion of the globe.  Sure there are twinkling lights on the tree, candles aglow on the Advent wreath and giant luminescent inflatables on every other lawn, but the sun rises later and sets earlier making.  The days seem grayer.  Snow may be fluffy and white in the first hours of its falling, but after that it's not quite so nice.  The cold doesn't help much either and the need to put on layer after layer to head outdoors.

There is so much to do. Is it any wonder I feel so tired?  Even those things that can bring joy can instead bring you down.

Or maybe it's just that we feel we SHOULD be happy.  The pressure of smiling faces and an all perfect holiday.  Perfection that we logically know cannot be achieved, but are hearts refuse to let go of.

What advice can I give to myself?  All that comes to mind is:  Buck up, sissy pants. (Straight from the mouth of Beverly Hofstadter, from "The Big Bang Theory.")  Not great words of wisdom, but for me, a reminder that I AM strong.  That this darkness I feel is only temporary.  And if, for some reason, it continues on, that I AM strong enough to get help for myself.

This is NOT guidance I'd give to anyone else.  I am not a medical professional or even a good advice giver.  And if you are feeling depressed, during this holiday season or anytime at all, seeking help would be a wise thing to do.  (And you are wise person if you are reading this...really!)

The point is this post is NOT to offer advice, but to point out that it is not abnormal to feel blue during the holidays.  That you are NOT alone.  The most wonderful time of the year is not wonderful for all of us...and that's ok.  NOT being full of good cheer is actually pretty normal.  You are not an outsider when you seek help for depression; in reality you are just like many of us.


For whatever reason you might feel blue this season.  You are not alone.  As the song goes: “Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow. So have yourself a merry little Christmas now."   We will muddle along.  We will have dark days, even when we think they "should" be light.  Your feelings and mine are valid.  But we can still have a merry little Christmas now.

(NOTE:  If you are feeling more than just blue, PLEASE go to: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ orhttps://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/index.html   You MATTER!)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have Taken America Back

Image
Back to a time when all men (and women) are not created equal.  Where women's healthcare is determined by men's laws and not by medical professionals. Where education tells only the "winning" side of the story and truth does not matter.  Where banning and burning books is a social event.  Where people who are "different" than those in power can be mocked, shunned and hurt with no real consequences. Where lies are acceptable and integrity is  just a word on a page We have moved into a time where rage is the rage.  Where hate is not just normal, but accepted and even cheered. Where leaders can ask to have their "enemies" killed and no one will bat an eye.  Where it's "funny" to see someone struggle.  Where felony is applauded. Where compassion is not shown and caring for others is looked down upon. We have taken America back to a time of pain and suffering for many.  Back to when the "haves" can have and the have nots don'...
Read more

It's Not About Starbucks (or is it)?

Image
  About a block and a half from my home in a major intersection.  At the southeast corner (which is nearest to me), is an empty building.  Back in 1995 it was a Bank of NY (I remember this because they didn't shovel/de-ice their parking lot well and my husband fell and broke his ankle one Monday morning.  I recall this clearly because we were not yet married and it was the first day of a new job for me.  I had gotten on the bus to work and he was catching a later one; only he never got there.  Instead he ended up laying on the ground until an employee came to open up the bank.  Then he had them call an ambulance AND my mother who took control of the situation until I arrived home that night blissfully unaware of what had happened that day.)  It eventually became a Chase Bank; the second one in my small little town.  It eventually closed.  I'm not sure when but it's been empty for quite a long time.  (I do know that it was open in 20...
Read more

As Is

Image
  Today I want to discuss what I think it is a relatively simple concept, but may be difficult for some, even an attorney who might have once, over a decade ago won a  prestigious award  for young lawyers .  That term is "AS IS." As you may know, I volunteer in a thrift shop.  Everything we sell, from all the donations we receive, is "as is."  The items are not brand new.  They are not perfect.  That doesn't mean they aren't any good or worth something. They are sold "as is."  Buyers should go in knowing that. (After all you are shopping in a thrift shop!)  In some cases, particularly when we are offering higher end products, we will actually write on the price tag, "as is." Such is the case of two designer purses that I purchased from there this summer.  (I'm a purse-aholic!  Don't look in my closet.)  They were reasonably priced (especially when you consider the name brand), but each had an "as is" clearly marked o...
Read more