Hi all, I'm feeling absolutely shattered at the moment and feel totally overwhelmed by the prospect of Christmas. Even just thinking about writing cards, wrapping presents, putting up tree, extra food shopping, extra visits to friends/relatives etc makes me feel really stressed. I don't know where I'm going to get the extra energy from to do it all. Hope does everyone else cope with it? Does anyone have have tips to make it easier?
Sorry should say 'How does everyone else cope with it?'. Am so tired I can't even spell now!!!
Elaine,
You sure aren't alone. I'm feeling the stress and then telling myself not to be stress because I don't want the stress to make me sicker.
Can you give yourself permission to skip any of it? I know that is so hard to do,but it sure can be helpful. I know cards went by the way side for me. I'm hoping that facebook sort of makes up for it. I'm also trying to give more gift certificates and cash this year rather than having quite so many gifts to wrap. Are there any 10 or 11 year old girls by you who might relish the idea of helping to put up your tree? Just an idea. Best wishes!
Dawn
Hi Dawn, I think the stress of it all is making me worse. I feel like I can't properly relax as I keep thinking of all the things I have to do which is probably not helping. Most people I know will expect a card from me so can't get out of that. Giving money or gift vouchers is a good idea. Maybe I could get someone else to decorate the tree or not bother with one at all this year. Thanks for the tips!
I know, the stress just makes us worse.
Hi Elaine
Sorry to hear this time of year is stressing you out. Personally I don't have anything to do with Christmas in any way. I cancelled it years ago. My family and friends know this and never expect anything from me. I don't even send cards.it is just another day to us. I know this may sound dismissing d , but I really have no interest in Christmas and afford it none of my energy or effort. However I understand if you do get involved in it all. I think you need to make sure your family and friends are made aware how stressful it is for you.try to allocate things you need to do to other people if possible . If you can't do this. Think about lessening activities. Please don't make yourself ill over something that takes ages to prepare for yet only lasts a couple of days.takd care x
This might not sound right, with I sorry I offend people , but if people expect a card from you , u ,then they have little understanding of your problems. over though if you spoke to some of them and explsinec, they would not be as bothered as you may fear. it really isn't the end if the world if they don't get a card. I make cards but am so far behind with them some people haven't had a birthday card for two years ! But they understand .I stopped Christmas cards years ago and what a huge relief it was.
I just couldn't afford all the stress and physical and mental effort of. Christmas. I suppose it was easy for me though as I have no interest in Christmas anyway.
I am sure if you chatted to your family and friends they would understand . X
Sorry that should read ,I worry I may offend people . Flipping predictive text ! Mind if it's own mixed with ME brain !
Another thing you might like to do is instead of cards make a quick phone call. Just to a few if not most of them I know talking gets r hsusting, but it I always good to hear another voice . and more personal anyway than a card.
Rather than a tree, hoecabout twigs with lights on. Places like dunhelm sell such things. I have a couple I use all year round ! Really pretty .
I do hope you can let yourself off a few things to ease the stress. I really feel for you knowing how stressful everything we do is with this damn illness . please take care and try not to worry so much about Christmas .maybe your family and friends could rally round and help you get through all this?
Hi Janet, you're very sensible to not bother with Christmas. Would save a lot of energy and hassle!! Making phone calls is a good idea. I feel pressurised into visiting people or having visitors to exchange presents but it's just too much seeing so many people in a short space of time. I might just get my husband to drop things off and phone people instead. Twigs with lights is an interesting idea. Think I've seen them in shops. That could be a possibilty too. Thanks for the advice!
Hi Elaine. Sounds like you are taking a step back with is excellent. Just do no more than you need to. Yesgood idea to get yourchusband to drop things off
Will share the activities and thus take some stress off you. Honestly, people will not be offended of anything if they really care about you.
Take care..... Sorry about the mangled up sentence above ! I couldn't alter it x
Hi Janet, am feeling a bit better about everything now. I was having a bad relapse and worrying about all the extra things to do but decided just to forget about it all for a few days and get some good quality rest so have a bit more energy now. Have cancelled a few things and am just pacing myself now doing the things I have left to do. Have decided it's ridiculous getting myself so stressed and setting myself back for one day!!
Good for you elaine! I am struggling now myself about Christmas. The main problem is it makes me feel better when the house is decorated, even though I have help it still seems like a daunting task. I have the tree, but the process of directing decorating is too much for me right now. It is kind of like conducting an orchestra, what goes where & so on. I never realised how important my role is in getting things decorated, Lol. But things will get done eventually..Foggy brain style!
I've given up with my normal tree this year. I just don't have the energy to decorate it plus I have a 6 month old puppy who is still going through her chewing and stealing things phase and I think the site of dangly things on a tree would be too much of a temptation for her!!! Today my husband went and bought a cheap fibre optic tree and it was so easy to put up. Open the box, spread out the branches, switch it on and it's done! It's actually really relaxing to look at (apart from the dog barking at it!) and hasn't used up all my energy like decorating a normal tree does.
Am starting to realise that sometimes it's better just to keep things simple.
Here's my list, Elaine: I shop online. I also buy gift cards. I don't host Christmas any longer. I don't go to my kids' house unless one of them comes to get me and one of them always does. I contribute to buying the turkey/ham/whatever instead of taking prepared food to our family gathering. I send cards to only a few people. Wrapping presents takes me a couple of days. I keep decorating my house to a minimum and only with the help of one of my children. At the family gathering, I excuse myself and lie down to rest when I have to. My kids understand. Finally, I am the elderly lady sitting on a comfortable chair or sofa and my kids and grandkids come to me for talks. Mainly, I forgive myself for not being able to do all the things I used to do. Oh, and I have learned to ask for help when I need it. That's my list. Do I ever feel like a slacker? Well...maybe sometimes...but not for more than a few minutes. And yes, I always have a lovely Christmas and hope you do, too.
Sounds like you are very organised and have worked out how to have a good Christmas without exhausting yourself. I gave up on hosting the dinner too. I tried it a couple of times and both times I ended up too tired to eat the dinner I'd made and had to lie down and was shattered for weeks afterwards so it's not worth it. Now I see people before and after Christmas and just make phone calls in the morning on the day to close family and then spend the rest of the day relaxing with my husband so I'm not under any pressure. It's so much easier just to cook a nice meal for two then eat lots of chocolate!! Hope you have a fantastic day!!!
I simply have accepted that every year will be different. From decorations to food and family visiting. Usually I did all the work with my hubs help. We are both past doing much. So when family comes they change their beds and fix up the decoration that they want and help with food do shopping.
just don't have the energy to even worry about it any more.🎄I enjoy xmas a little bit less each year do shopping over internet.I just use gift bags for gifts and cut down shopping for presents and give cash or gift cards. 🎅
Its no no big deal I paid my dues over many years, and my health is more important that being stuck in bed for weeks due to over doing things. 👍
It it tough enough some days to just get moving! 😊
There are some lovely beautiful fake trees at the big box stores. One I have comes in 5 sections all numbered. Itis 10'feet tall.with lights attached. Each section is placed on the pole of course as you snap it in the pole it automatically opens up like a tree , (opens like a flower) magic. All attached to stand and then work each of the 5 sections up.then plug it in and viola lights and a tree that looks so real. Fools everyone. Ya don't have to water it or worry about fires and annoying needles fallin or decorate it. I just may leave it there all year! It so beautiful.
There are also online trees that lay flat in a box when the arrive . They lift up and open up already decorated with bulbs ribbons and lights that spring up or pull up to 'attached stand. Really easy.
Have a nice Xmas everyone .🎅🎅🎄🎄❄️❄️🙏🏽
Not to worry or stress it can make younger worse. Take your time domwhat you can and en joy the Holidays . Let it go. Let it snow let it go! ❄️❄️❄️
Happy Holidays🎄👍
Or do a email cards make one with pics add holiday verse send to friends and family. There are a lot of online help to make online xmas card too. 🎄