I think that the holidays are a hard time for a lot of people for a lot of reasons. While some people have a good time celebrating with friends and family, with so many expectations and societal (and sometimes family) norms around how a holiday should be, if you don't fit in the box, the holidays can enhance feelings of isolation and sadness.
Perhaps you are just alone without family or friends to celebrate with, or with family, but mourning the loss of loved ones. I remember the first couple years after my sister died, Christmas was hard because she had been such and integral and happy part of our celebrating. We felt he loss more poignantly around Christmas.
When you are ill enough to have to curtail social stuff, travelling, and celebrating, then mix this in with the expectations of family and/or the bombardment of media portraying certain ideas about the holiday, the holidays can be a difficult time.
Toni Bernard wrote an article about coping with isolation (both physical and psychological) dung the holidays, it's quite good: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/turning-straw-gold/201111/how-ease-the-pain-isolation-during-the-holidays
My holidays this year are going to be super relaxing. Presents are all bought (online) and sent, and I will spend some time AT HOME!!! Some of it alone, some with friends, eating, visiting and resting.
While exhausted, I'm not terribly fluey, which is nice. I'm still fighting the end of this nasty cold with a persistent cough. As well, I am quite dizzy/spinny from the cold I think, enough that I can't drive for the time being.
THE DOG: If you are interested in the dog, Teagan does have uveitis in both eyes, and will need to be on meds (steroid eye drops) at least for a while. She has had iris cysts for a number of years, but recently one of them turned very red, which is what signaled the need for a vet trip. The hope is that if I treat the uveitis we can avoid glaucoma which in the case of dogs, often results in the removal of an eye ($$$) or very expensive meds. Cross your fingers for us.
It's such a tough time of year for us, it's so busy and I find it hard to say no to doing festive things! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and are able to enjoy the festivities. Fingers are crossed for you too!
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Hayley-Eszti
Hi Upnorth, So good to read your recent post which sounds better than the previous, mid December one. But still worries about Teagan, I'll keep my fingers crossed too. It's hard to believe that at one time I actually went to holiday parties and stood up talking to everyone, another life !! I'm glad you can work in some time with friends. I do like hearing from old friends and family thru their holiday cards and letters. So I'll say Happy New Year and Happy Holidays to you Upnorth and I look forward to more of your posts -----. from your kindred spirit - Leah And you too Hayley, the best to you..
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