Watty's Awakening

ajmoney

I have always found the run up to Christmas and the week itself very overwhelming, so much so that I choose not to spend it with my family, my dad understands but the rest struggle with it a bit. When I was with my ex-husband it was easier but after covid I have had to ask everyone to go with it even if they don't get it. I have had a friend stay over the last few years but tht is my choice. He is not a fan of Christmas either and understands that I do what I need to do, being with others who do the traditional Christmas thing makes it worse. I do put up decorations but only once I am ready. 

Adverts etc make us think this is what we should be doing but there are plenty of people who don't want to and that is ok. It's a shame the spotlight isn't shone on this more so those who don't want to stick with tradition realise it is normal and not wrong.

Hugs Watty, do what you need to do x

Slinky

I can understand the issues regarding Christmas overwhelm. I have issues about New Year. My mother walked away from the family 45 years ago on New Year's Eve when I was just 16, so you can imagine there are unhappy memories surrounding that. I haven't spoken to her willingly since, or at all since 1995 when she found out where I was living and turned up on my doorstep. Don't know where she lives, or even if she's still alive. At least now I spend NYE with only my OH who understands to some degree.  I no longer have to suffer Mother's Day either when we used to take OH's mother out. I'd give anything to have my Dad back, and OH is the same about his.

Watty1

Seems a lot of us get caught by seasonal stress.  Work is crazy with so many people wanting something to be finished in the next two weeks so they can have the period off.  
Have made a plan for the rest of this week with everything written down and on the MSE side of things returned two items for a refund as I should not really have put them on my credit card, but, I thought I would love them and I did not so back they went.

Cherryfudge

Greying_Pilgrim said:

 for now I'm going for nature, nurture and not alot of commericalism if I can help it.  

Greying X

I am supposed to be going out so can't give a thoughtful reply, but I just wanted to say how much I like this.

For me, one of the most exciting things is that the birdsong usually starts again around Boxing Day!

KajiKita

Cherryfudge said:

Greying_Pilgrim said:

 for now I'm going for nature, nurture and not alot of commericalism if I can help it.  

Greying X

I am supposed to be going out so can't give a thoughtful reply, but I just wanted to say how much I like this.

For me, one of the most exciting things is that the birdsong usually starts again around Boxing Day!

Ooh … does it. I’ve never noticed. I will keep my ears open - thank you 😊

KK

Cherryfudge

KajiKita said:

Ooh … does it. I’ve never noticed. I will keep my ears open - thank you 😊

KK

It does up here (North Yorks) - regional variations are available.  

Watty1

Used that super comment about birdsong to send a message to pal who left her husband a few weeks ago and whose latest whatsapp missive was all about how she missed the birds in her garden. She now lives on a farm so using that super info I told her the birds will start singing around boxing day.     If she wishes to go back to him she should - I think she worries that she will be judged by her friends and family (friends not so, but her family will).

daisy_1571

Och let folk judge, for all she knows somebody is wishing they had the courage to do it themselves,  I don't think anyone ever knows what other folk are actually thinking and they certainly shouldn't guess and let it affect them into doing something they'll regret for their own life. Shes done that hard bit by leaving, would be a shame to have to go through that again- its unlikely that the reason she left has disappeared? 

Dxx

Watty1

I'm quietly bailing on advent. I have both trees up, Christmas decs everywhere, fairy lights at the stable and around the house and this afternoon will pick up a wreath when I go to get my hair cut.    I've realised my work is busy with customers who want everything off their desk by the 19th at the latest - and so - they are passing the stress to me to finish stuff/do stuff/get stuff by that date.   I realise I have felt like this every year for the past 10 years but still tried to look forward to the season and enjoy doing things.

This year I'm removing myself from the stress and am just going to concentrate on work.

In money news my AA membership renewed which I'm cross about as meant to cancel and look for a better deal, but, I'm going to forgive myself that and move on and diary next year to cancel and look again.

greenbee

You can turn off the AA auto-renew now Watty. And look again on Black Friday next year (I did that this year and renewed for a third of my autorenew and got cash back (should have done it last year!