Holidays and feeling down.....

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Hi BITOGers,

NO it's not about me.
But I'm seeing a lot of threads just going sideways because people just want to **** into somebody's joy/something to share/happy thoughts.

Do you really see (in your experience) people more stressed around holidays?
-traffic
-lines
-parking spot races
-just being alone
-end of the year totals, or not (how did I get here?; what did i do/not this year)
-I hate holidays because my holidays are all-year-round

Blow some steam folks!
Be safe, where ever you are!
 
We are in a rat race. Everyone is always in a rush for something. Overworked, underpaid, overstressed and not enough time with the family. People seem stressed out all the time. I understand why.
 
For me the Holidays are a time of rushing. Rushing to get the house and yards prepared for Winter, getting snow tires on all 3 cars, Christmas lights on the house. About December 15 I start thinking about what my wife wants.

I can't say I recall the past perfectly, but I think we are all more stressed than we were 25 years ago. The general population is tending to become more self centred than ever, you see it in the number of people running stale yellows or full reds, or parking where they shouldn't - just because they feel they can. As texting has become a replacement for conversations, I think this self centred problem will only worsen - sort of a vicious cycle IMHO. Maybe I am too negative? I hope so.

Finally, the Holidays are focused on family activities. If you are not part of a family, the worse you might be feeling. When I moved away from BC when I was 23, the first Christmas in Ontario was only made manageable because I was able to visit relatives in Connecticut.
If I had not that option, I would have had a very bad time. My wife tries to volunteer at the soup kitchens during the Holidays, benefits both sides. I will say that I've seen examples of family that would make me glad to avoid any gathering with same! Not all families are worth missing!
 
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Some people have seasonal depression. Lack of sunlight can put some people in a bad mood.


This.

I leave and it's dark, get home and it's about dark, and it's cold.

I think the whole buying gifts thing is stressful for a lot of people as well.
 
Here's a positive story. I had to go to the dreaded Walmart this morning, and it was actually a pleasure. I ran into an automotive manager who cared (yes, I had to check the oil aisle). The store wasn't a zoo, either. So, there are positives in the holiday. Ask me again on December 24 when I'm still shopping.
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Garak
Here's a positive story. I had to go to the dreaded Walmart this morning, and it was actually a pleasure. I ran into an automotive manager who cared (yes, I had to check the oil aisle). The store wasn't a zoo, either. So, there are positives in the holiday. Ask me again on December 24 when I'm still shopping.
wink.gif


A birdie told me that early bird beats the crowds.....
 
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
No stress here.

Yes, but you get to experience that magical Christmas Tree called A PalmTree
 
short daylight, overcast, everything is gray or brown.Wind blowing off the water makes for raw temps. It gets down to only 9 hrs, 5 minutes of daylight by the solstice. Arrrg!
 
I love this time of year. The air gets crisp (I prefer it hot, but I like a change), work gets busy then I'm off a week and a half (university), I get to spend time with my ever-shrinking family, the wife and I usually find some kind of adventure to go on...

This year is going to be harder as we've lost several family members in the last few years and the older ones that are with us are getting up there in years and it's showing. Thankfully, we're starting to ween ourselves off of the "I'm obligated to buy each person a $20 gift" and trying to make it more about family and being thankful for what we have. I do most of my shopping online and the wife and I only do stockings for each other, no big gifts. I've been a big scrooge for the last 10 years or so and I'm trying to make this time of year about the real reason we celebrate (not going to get the thread locked) and spreading a little extra love and encouragement around.

Ask me tomorrow after someone cuts me off or almost kills me while texting and I'll answer this thread totally different....
 
Christmas is a joyous time of the year for me. It's a time to reflect back on my many wonderful Christmas's growing up, and all of the loved ones I shared those times with who have passed. Now we (my wife and I) are the elders and we share our holiday with our kids and grandkids, making our own new memories. I don't let the commercialism ruin the true meaning of Christmas, which to me is spending time with my family and loved ones, cherishing every minute I can...
 
Volunteering with a loved one at a food pantry or a soup kitchen is a good way to spread the cheer, but I have found that volunteering at a oil change business is the best way to beat the blues! Just make sure your baby brings back your old blue jeans, because there is nothing like the smell of oil and gasoline.
Still looking for gifts.....anyone know where I can buy some cheap sunglasses?
 
I don't like Christmas time. It can bring me down....way down. I used to love it as a kid though. I just try to muddle through the mostly shallow attitudes and extreme consumerism of it all. And, of course, after Christmas comes the "I gotta pay off these credit card bills now" syndrome.
 
If you have to shop go any day of the week first thing in the am while all those lazy evening shoppers are still in bed.
thumbsup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
If you have to shop go any day of the week first thing in the am while all those lazy evening shoppers are still in bed.
thumbsup2.gif


....and don't park close to the exit
 
Originally Posted By: BalticBob
...Still looking for gifts.....anyone know where I can buy some cheap sunglasses?

In January, local malls, clearance racks?
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I don't like Christmas time. It can bring me down....way down. I used to love it as a kid though. I just try to muddle through the mostly shallow attitudes and extreme consumerism of it all. And, of course, after Christmas comes the "I gotta pay off these credit card bills now" syndrome.

Vacation in a warm spot would probably cost the same.....

and you get the best view of all: Quebequois roasting in the sun..... kidding.

you get to see people enjoying their time
 
Originally Posted By: BalticBob
Volunteering with a loved one at a food pantry or a soup kitchen is a good way to spread the cheer, but I have found that volunteering at a oil change business is the best way to beat the blues! Just make sure your baby brings back your old blue jeans, because there is nothing like the smell of oil and gasoline.
Still looking for gifts.....anyone know where I can buy some cheap sunglasses?

You'll have more time to look once you get more time off from BITOG, right?
 
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