The Stress Of It All

As we move ever closer to Christmas, it's nearly impossible for each and every one of us not to feel the stresses that go along with it. So many things to get done, so many people to think about, so many places to try and be...and seemingly all at the same time. Throw a little family stress on top of it and you have nothing less than the king of all stress banana splits with a generous helping of tired and a couple of smatterings of guilt right up on top.

The biggest of all of these can be, and I am betting usually is, financial stress. Sure, we get through it by kidding ourselves that we can just "do what needs to be done right now" and then worry about it later. Those credit card bills will still be there in January, right? We are prompted at every turn...advertising, peer pressure, kid pressure, perceived pressure...to spend generously and have a jolly old month of December. Those ads never show you the poor saps sitting around their home office opening those bills they decided to not worry about, do they?

BAH!

Enough is enough I say. Time to put the foot down. By learning the key phrases "No thank you", "We really can't afford it this year", and "Sorry, we already have plans" and combining that with the mindset that you absolutely will NOT be able to succeed to keeping everyone happy who thinks they are depending on you for that, you will find that there is plenty of room to reduce your stress level and have a more enjoyable holiday season.

Finances have you all bound up? Simple. Tell your friends and family the truth...you really can't afford to get them gifts this year. Two different parts of your family planning events at the same time? No way someone doesn't come out of that pissed. Your only recourse is to attempt to get one to reschedule. Barring that, you are seeing one when they want to see you and the other when you can. You can't fix it for everybody, so why stress out over it?

Not that I'm advocating we all become Scrooges. I'm simply suggesting that you remember to take time out for yourself and your family over the holidays...give yourselves a chance to recharge. Also remember to do something, anything, to help those less fortunate. After all, it's Jesus' birthday and that's what he wants his gift to be every year. Be as festive as you want to be, go to parties, buy gifts. Just remember to do all that with a bit of conservatism in mind.

I'm sure I'll say this again between now and then, but I hope that you are well and that life is good as you read this. I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday season, that you manage to get through without anti-stress medication, that you receive much and give more, and that you do it all safely.

Merry Christmas and God bless!