By now you’re probably well on your way to decking the halls for Christmas. There’s so much to do to prepare for nearly everyone’s favorite holiday.
Whenever I feel overloaded and a little grumpy this time of year, I think back on a story I used to read to my daughters when they were young. I don’t remember the author’s name. I tried to look it up, but my efforts were unsuccessful. It was a short story included in a book with many other Christmas stories, the name of the book of which I also don’t remember. I remember this one story, however, because it hit so close to home.
The name of the story was “The Christmas Grouchies”. It was about a little boy who asked his parents if they could skip Christmas this year. When his surprised parents asked why, he told them that everyone gets so grouchy this time of year that he’d just prefer to skip Christmas altogether. How sad is that?
Every time I get grouchy around Christmas, I think of this story. I’m one of those people who tend to get overloaded easily. I also used to be quite the procrastinator, which made things even worse (although I’m getting much better at avoiding procrastination.) It helps when I stick to my pledge to do the tough things first in the day. That way I don’t have to worry about them the rest of the day. Plus, usually the things I’m dreading the most turn out to be not nearly as bad as I was anticipating them to be.
At Christmas, however, it seems everything comes at you all at once. The outside decorations need to be put up. The inside decorations need to be put up. The tree (or trees) have to be decorated. Christmas cards/letters have to be written and mailed. Presents have to be purchased and wrapped. The list goes on and on. In fact, there’s so much to do, you find yourself not enjoying the season. You become grouchy. You get “The Christmas Grouchies”!
Having Myasthenia Gravis only makes it worse. Not only do you not have the energy to get everything done, but you wear yourself out quickly when you attempt to do so. Getting worn down with MG exacerbates grumpiness; or at least it does for me. So, I have to make sure I take care of myself and get plenty of rest. I do what I can until I reach the point where I’m tired and then I take a break. Years ago, I would just push through the tiredness and just keep going. Now I realize I can no longer do that or I’ll end up down for the count.
So, there are things I do to try to avoid “The Christmas Grouchies”. I start with the annual Christmas letter. With so many friends and family scattered across the country, years ago I opted to do a Christmas letter instead of a Christmas card. A Christmas letter allows me to keep people up to date with all that’s going on with my family. I make it a strategic goal to complete and mail these letters the day after Thanksgiving. By making it a priority, I get it out of the way early before it interferes with all the other Christmas duties I must perform. There were several times years ago when I procrastinated and didn’t mail out the letter until a couple of days before Christmas. I’m sure most of the recipients didn’t receive it by Christmas, but I could check it off my list as completed. That’s not Christmasy and it doesn’t send the right message. At Christmas, you do things from the heart, not because it’s on your list. There was even one year when I contemplated an Easter letter because I didn’t have time to complete a Christmas letter before Christmas. Not anymore. I now get it out early and the stress is eliminated. I have it prepared and mailed before any of the deck the halls activities begin.
Another way I avoid “The Christmas Grouchies” is by making sure I take care of myself and get enough rest. I do this by taking a nap in the afternoon. I know this isn’t feasible for some, but I have that luxury and I put it to good use. My nap sometimes interrupts or conflicts with hanging decorations or wrapping presents, but I realize if I get worn down and end up sick, those decorations aren’t going to be hung and the presents won’t be wrapped at all. In fact, if I end up getting sick, I might just ruin Christmas for everyone. Taking that nap gives me the strength to make it through the entire day. Taking care of yourself must always be a priority, even around Christmas.
The best way I know to avoid “The Christmas Grouchies” however, is to spread Christmas cheer. I always try to wear a smile and greet everyone I pass. In fact, I make it a goal to say “Good Morning” or “Merry Christmas” to everyone I see who happens to look in my direction. That not only puts me in a better mood, but it just might make someone’s else’s day. Who knows, it might even help them avoid “The Christmas Grouchies”!
We will not be skipping Christmas in my family this year, or any other year as long as I’m around. We’ll enjoy Christmas and we’ll do whatever we can to avoid “The Christmas Grouchies”.
Christmas is to be enjoyed. You can’t do that if you’re a Christmas Grouch!
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