While Christmas and New Years can be a great time to enjoy friends and/or family, for many, they can also be really difficult. The issue I hear most from people who are disabled (even partly) by chronic illness is that the holidays come with so many expectations. Expectations to buy gifts, to participate in far more social events than normal (even if it is in your own home). I've heard more than one person with M.E. say how it seems as if family and friends expect their sick family member/friend to all of a sudden be more functional during the holidays (for no apparent reason).
And then there's the crashing. I crash every....single....Christmas. For many years this was due to a combination of travel and visiting family. I push too hard every holiday, (and probably appear fairly well to others) but then later pay the price with a good 'ol M.E. crash (which is a lot like influenza with milder symptoms but more disabling weakness).
Anyways, on the positive, since my trip to Minnesota and a short crash, I've been doing fairly decently, doing things to get ready both for my course in January, and the holidays. I also had friends over to do art. However, two days before Christmas I am now crashed!!!! Pretty badly crashed. The timing just sucks, however, I should have known better than to go over-board the last few days.
Whatever your holiday brings and whether you are healthy or not, I hope that you avoid putting pressure on yourself due to your own or others' expectations. I hope you can find some time for friends, family and even a few moments of peace in the coming weeks.
Here's my last print of 2016 - Juncos.
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