Holiday depression

nonightowl · Dec 21, 2023 at 01:20 PM

Just 5 more days and it will be over. Even that Christmas thread at the top of the screen is back and this time there is NO "X" for me to click to CLOSE it for Pete's sake.

The thread is on "ignore" yet still appears up there on every page......

speckofdust · Dec 23, 2023 at 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonightowl

Just 5 more days and it will be over. Even that Christmas thread at the top of the screen is back and this time there is NO "X" for me to click to CLOSE it for Pete's sake.

The thread is on "ignore" yet still appears up there on every page......

Discombobulated · Dec 23, 2023 at 08:18 AM

Maybe it’s the expectations, the should be having fun/being happy/spending money/being a gourmet cook….. or sometimes it’s getting caught up in memories, or being out of routine. Working in food retail I can’t ignore it and the workload increase means it’s stressful often.

This year I have a very unwell friend who I can’t see and illness in my family too so emotionally there’s challenges, not made better by some people seemingly thinking I’ll just switch off and party.

People often don’t think before they speak unfortunately.

will19 · Dec 23, 2023 at 11:30 AM

This may sound weird but lately I have trying to avoid my neighbors simply because I don't want to be asked what will I be doing or hear, "Merry Christmas". Hearing it makes me cringe. I feel bad for saying it. But yet it happened a couple of times. They just popped out of nowhere, to my surprise. I also want to avoid them because I'm afraid of being questioned as to what will I be doing. I don't talk to my neighbors anyways all along, so why now? And by saying, "Merry Christmas" to me, are they thinking they will score points with me? I know it's a nice gesture but I still don't understand it. And by the way, the two guys who said "Merry Christmas to me; I think they will be spending Christmas alone like I will.

The holidays can be a dreary time for many. It's either because of loneliness, illnesses, or having some tragedies to deal with. Sometimes tragedies happen around the holidays which makes it brutal. Well anyways, we'll try to get through this.

SpaghettiLegs · Dec 23, 2023 at 11:49 AM

I'm glad I saw this thread. I always feel down around Christmas and New Year, the only really big holidays here. There's something so disconcerting about the over consumption, materialism and pressure to be happy. I'm glad to be staying in with no social expectations this year (so far, fingers crossed) but I still feel down for all the people suffering and the way Christmas makes that worse.

I do wish anyone reading this who enjoys it a lovely time though!

nonightowl · Dec 23, 2023 at 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will19

snip: This may sound weird but lately I have trying to avoid my neighbors simply because I don't want to be asked what will I be doing or hear, "Merry Christmas". Hearing it makes me cringe.

The holidays can be a dreary time for many. It's either because of loneliness, illnesses, or having some tragedies to deal with. Sometimes tragedies happen around the holidays which makes it brutal. Well anyways, we'll try to get through this.

I've been trying to avoid my neighbors too, especially certain ones like this woman who is always perky no matter what is going on in the country or world. With everything we're dealing with, she's so cheerful and always says "How are you?" to me. Once I said "Hunky dory" and she said, "I know.." seemingly to get my sarcasm. Then why ask me? Leave me alone. I bet even if we were under attack by North Korea she'd be cheerful. It's so fake.

The holidays are also at the end of the year, when the days are short (usually cold) and tax season is just the following month. All the bills will arrive then. My relatives, all deceased, have birthdays during this time too.

I also cringe when I hear "Happy New Year". Why do we tout that because the year is new, it's time to be "happy"? I feel like I've been living Groundhog Year, with the same bs every year. (Reference to the movie Groundhog Day, when a guy kept reliving it---actually I liked this movie, it was fun) Not much changes and stuff keeps going wrong. Recently I was waiting for something to happen and our mailboxes got vandalized and broken into about a month ago.

It doesn't help that this site has a Christmas thread at the top of the screen, and I can't hide it right now. This is the first year that I've seen that appear at the top, so "in your face". Now I'm afraid someone will start a NYE thread afterwards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaghettiLegs

snip: I always feel down around Christmas and New Year, the only really big holidays here.

I've heard it isn't hyped up in Europe as much as in the US; I don't know about Asia, Australia, South America, or Africa. Canada is similar to the US in their culture, it's probably hyped there too. I was taught in school there's 7 continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica. The last wouldn't have holiday hype for sure. It's the only place you can avoid it completely I bet.

nonightowl · Dec 23, 2023 at 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discombobulated

snip: Working in food retail I can’t ignore it and the workload increase means it’s stressful often.

People often don’t think before they speak unfortunately.

My favorite cashier at the grocery store hates this time of the year. One time I answered honestly when she asked about the holidays. I said I hate them and she said "Me too." Customers are in a hurry or irritable/rude. They are open on the holidays, all of them even Christmas and New Year's but with reduced hours.

The holidays do upset one's routine, as even my gym will change their hours tomorrow because it's Christmas Eve. They will be open just a half day, and I know it will be really crowded due to that. So I have to go today even though I don't feel like it. It's the only place that's open almost all year, Christmas is the only holiday they are closed.

People don't think period.

I'm kind of afraid to go to a book club on the 27th because everyone will talk about their holiday and not the book. Everyone in there has family and grandchildren and go on trips, had big plans,etc.

speckofdust · Dec 24, 2023 at 02:24 AM

2 days 'til "the day!" I hope all the stuff will be down, and the music back to "regular" on Tuesday!

nonightowl · Dec 24, 2023 at 10:31 AM

1 more day now....

The Christmas music started on November 1st as it does each year, on this "Sounds of the Season" music channel I get. I listen to other channels now and every now & then they HAVE to squeeze in a Christmas song.

My gym's hours will be back to normal on Tuesday, they are only open 8-12 noon today so I had to go yesterday. It would have been crowded, with everyone trying to get their workout in. I hate having my routine disrupted and the holidays do that.

Discombobulated · Dec 24, 2023 at 10:31 AM

Oh I’m so looking forward to the music being back to normal!

I’ve got to admit I do like the carols, sung with my group, but not the same songs on a loop at work!!

speckofdust · Dec 24, 2023 at 10:58 AM

Just a little over 24 hours now....

will19 · Dec 24, 2023 at 11:22 AM

Sounds like there's some excitement in counting down for Christmas. When I was much younger, I counted down to Christmas with excitement. But now, I count down with some glee for the day after.

I'll try to keep myself busy as much as I can for today and tomorrow. I get the feeling that time is going to drag. I agree on how the holidays get disruptive. I hate it myself.

Tomorrow is Monday and I'm going to do what I usually do on Mondays. I think it won't be too different, except I can't check for the mail.

speckofdust · Dec 24, 2023 at 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will19

Sounds like there's some excitement in counting down for Christmas. When I was much younger, I counted down to Christmas with excitement. But now, I count down with some glee for the day after.

I'll try to keep myself busy as much as I can for today and tomorrow. I get the feeling that time is going to drag. I agree on how the holidays get disruptive. I hate it myself.

Tomorrow is Monday and I'm going to do what I usually do on Mondays. I think it won't be too different, except I can't check for the mail.

Today I will be working on creative projects, practicing music, watching movies I have on DVD, listening to music, and putting up some new cameras outside since the weather will be nice. Monday, I'm going to see The Color Purple at the movie theater, watch football, and do many of the same things I'll be doing today. Then, Tuesday will come along, and things will go right back to pre-Christmas times. Whew! Hold tight, everyone, the end is nigh!

nonightowl · Dec 24, 2023 at 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will19

Sounds like there's some excitement in counting down for Christmas. When I was much younger, I counted down to Christmas with excitement. But now, I count down with some glee for the day after.

I'll try to keep myself busy as much as I can for today and tomorrow. I get the feeling that time is going to drag. I agree on how the holidays get disruptive. I hate it myself.

Tomorrow is Monday and I'm going to do what I usually do on Mondays. I think it won't be too different, except I can't check for the mail.

It IS a countdown to the 26th I guess but we have to get through today and tomorrow first.

Like a lot of kids I counted down to Christmas too, or actually our school break.

Even the weather report gives a countdown to what our culture thinks is so important: How many shopping days left till Christmas, how many days till Christmas, then NYE and NY's. And how many days even until winter starts, which has passed. I can't escape it....Before this it was countdown to fall, Halloween (which I don't mind) and Thanksgiving!

I'm trying to do what I normally do on Sunday and Monday too, but like you said there's no mail. It should be quiet, because even maintenance should be off tomorrow. I hope my neighbors stay away at least through tomorrow.

Already dreading the noise of NYE with the fireworks and yelling/screaming about the New Year.

I'll be online or signed in the next couple of days, most of the day, if you want to talk.

Or if anyone else is also alone and up to it.

will19 · Dec 24, 2023 at 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonightowl

It IS a countdown to the 26th I guess but we have to get through today and tomorrow first.

Like a lot of kids I counted down to Christmas too, or actually our school break.

Even the weather report gives a countdown to what our culture thinks is so important: How many shopping days left till Christmas, how many days till Christmas, then NYE and NY's. And how many days even until winter starts, which has passed. I can't escape it....Before this it was countdown to fall, Halloween (which I don't mind) and Thanksgiving!

I'm trying to do what I normally do on Sunday and Monday too, but like you said there's no mail. It should be quiet, because even maintenance should be off tomorrow. I hope my neighbors stay away at least through tomorrow.

Already dreading the noise of NYE with the fireworks and yelling/screaming about the New Year.

I'll be online or signed in the next couple of days, most of the day, if you want to talk.

Or if anyone else is also alone and up to it.

Personally, I think Christmas Eve is more quiet than Christmas Day, but I might be wrong. I prefer Christmas Eve over New Years Eve. I never liked the noise that goes with NYE, even when I was much younger. So after Christmas there's another day to dread.

nonightowl · Dec 24, 2023 at 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will19

Personally, I think Christmas Eve is more quiet than Christmas Day, but I might be wrong. I prefer Christmas Eve over New Years Eve. I never liked the noise that goes with NYE, even when I was much younger. So after Christmas there's another day to dread.

It is, I think. My building has people in it that are having more and more kids, so I'm getting more screaming on Christmas than before.

You're right about Christmas Eve over New Year's Eve ANY day. The latter is about partying and noise, drinking, etc. Tonight is usually quiet.

Here they start the fireworks well before midnight. I can't stay up that long anymore yet I'm sure I'll be awakened by it. I was able to handle the noise when I was much younger or it didn't bother me nearly as much. Plus I wasn't alone like now. And now I'm just so tired so early, I go to bed at 9....same bedtime as when I was 9!

New Year's itself seems quiet, I guess they are all either hung over or watching football.

speckofdust · Dec 24, 2023 at 08:51 PM

I'm looking forward to next weekend. I will get to visit with my friends who live in a different state. A few days of going to shows, watching football and playing games, and eating good food with friends will be nice!

NatalieJastrow · Dec 25, 2023 at 07:30 AM

I hate the way the entire world ends for a day. You can't go shopping, you can't do anything. When my parents were elderly they weren't going to make food for themselves and thy couldn't go to my place (because it was up a flight of stairs) and I hated the extreme trouble to go out to eat. Never mind they almost always got sick over the holiday. It made me hate the holidays.

I wish we would train a workforce that wanted to work over the holiday and have them work.

nonightowl · Dec 25, 2023 at 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatalieJastrow

I hate the way the entire world ends for a day. You can't go shopping, you can't do anything. When my parents were elderly they weren't going to make food for themselves and thy couldn't go to my place (because it was up a flight of stairs) and I hated the extreme trouble to go out to eat. Never mind they almost always got sick over the holiday. It made me hate the holidays.

I wish we would train a workforce that wanted to work over the holiday and have them work.

I agree, and this day isn't celebrated by everyone. Even my gym is closed, though they are open the other 364 days, even other holidays. They just modify the hours. The prominent "in-your-face" Christmas thread at the top and now a huge greeting isn't helping much either.

A lot of people are forced to work on holidays and may or may not like it. The extra money may not mean much either. A workforce specifically for holidays is an idea, like jurors selected for a trial.

Our holidays aren't universal meaning not everyone gets a paid day off. An example is someone who works in retail. They would be expected to work the day of and/or the day after a holiday, such as Thanksgiving. But office workers would, by "default", get both the day and day after off. "Federal" holidays mean all federal employees get a paid day off. I was just thinking how the inequality doesn't exist among how much money one has but whether you even get a "holiday" off.

(Non-retail/restaurant) Businesses are short-staffed usually, as so many people are off. I will be relieved when this day is over.

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speckofdust Grand Member Member Since May 2016 Location: USA Posts: 901 7 296 hugs given	Dec 24, 2023 at 02:24 AM #28 2 days 'til "the day!" I hope all the stuff will be down, and the music back to "regular" on Tuesday! __________________ https://imaginativefusion.wixsite.com/mysite/blog *Winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try.* - Dennis DeYoung "It is possible to turn poison into medicine." ~ Tina Turner Remember we're all in this alone. ~ Lily Tomlin
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Discombobulated Grand Magnate Member Since Oct 2019 Location: UK Posts: 4,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 11.6k hugs given	Dec 24, 2023 at 10:31 AM #30 Oh I’m so looking forward to the music being back to normal! I’ve got to admit I do like the carols, sung with my group, but not the same songs on a loop at work!!
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speckofdust Grand Member Member Since May 2016 Location: USA Posts: 901 7 296 hugs given	Dec 24, 2023 at 10:58 AM #31 Just a little over 24 hours now.... __________________ https://imaginativefusion.wixsite.com/mysite/blog *Winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try.* - Dennis DeYoung "It is possible to turn poison into medicine." ~ Tina Turner Remember we're all in this alone. ~ Lily Tomlin
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