Quote:
Originally Posted by bmarie
It seems when i watch tv and see all the commercials and all of them are holiday oriented and then the mall is the same way. It's like an assault on my senses ...I don't like needing people.
Does anyone ever feel like this? If so what do you do about it?
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Totally feels like an assault to me too. For starters, I pretty much just go to the grocery store and skip the rest. What to do?... lots of it is covered below.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kitty004567
You are not the only one who feels that way around the holidays. I avoid shopping this time of year (order everything online) and I don't watch tv...I rent/buy new movies or tv shows to watch on DVD.
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Do not have tv. It cost money I don't want to spend. Besides (and it took quite awhile to figure this out) it was really triggering for me. I couldn't relate. At all. Which made me feel bad about myself (as if
that needs any help!) As far as presents, I reduced my list to extremely tiny (this year, 3). The stress of feeling obligated to get stuff for people I really didn't want to (big believer in random gifting, and do not wish to have a calendar run my sense of giving) or even
like(!) (I'll spare you the horror stories of ex MIL, but it basically got to the point I'd
beg for nothing. Because it always made me cry that even after 25 years she'd go to these lengths to make clear she'd always thought I was a weirdo anyway.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by NuckingFutz
Nope, you are not alone. As far as the barage of holiday commercials and the overkill at the mall, it's a pretty aggressive media compaign. The crowds, the pitches from companies to buy their products, not all of us feel so ho, ho, ho. But yeah, a lot of us really need the support here to know we are not alone.
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YES! Life is NOT Hallmark, Norman Rockwell and Martha Stewart rolled into one. Why beat ourselves up trying to measure up to unreality?
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueoctober
One of my BP symptoms is I'm highly sensitive to crowds, noises, and smells which around the holidays seems to be amped up by 100. If I have to go shopping the Christmas music is like nails on a chalkboard, so I wear my I-pod.
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TG for Ipod!!! I can't go to any store any time of year without it. No joke. Even to the point if I discover the battery is low, I refuse to go until it is recharged.(Though it has taken me by surprise. Leave asap.) I also carry earplugs just in case (recent
). Barring that, I will literally rapidly push in and out on my ears -- to make a whooshing sound, and even drone if necessary. I
do not care if they think I'm a total weirdo.
Oh! And holiday greetings? I'm seriously thinking about putting a big note on my coat saying, "Do
NOT make holiday comment to me!!!" Usually I try to catch them before the point and say, "You can just skip that holiday greeting ****". (Quietly, I don't scream it or anything (!))That may be over the top, but I'm totally sick of ho ho ho being shoved in my face. I can give as well as I take. And I don't even go out during the holidays! I had to intercept one two days before T-day, buying a
shovel!!! WTH?! Oh! And you know what I hate even worse? (Is it possible?!) the post-holiday, "So how was your <whatever holiday>?!!!, delivered with excess enthusiasm.) I
know it's all meant well (or required by store management), but I get enough people making me feel bad year round, I don't need a seasonal boost!
So am I a total Grinch? Though he is my favorite, the answer is no. With BF, we will put up a little tree and do little things. Very low key. It's the first one I'm actually looking forward to in many many years. The lights are pretty, I love holly and the smell of freshly cut greenery is divine. There is one scene in the Christmas episode (Seoul Mates) of Northern Exposure) that is so touching and beautiful I cry every time.
P.S. I've not been able to post much lately, but (obviously) this is a big topic w/ me.... and... yes, I'm totally procrastinating on cooking T-day. I really really really don't want to, but with all BF and I have been through lately... we kind of need it.