Am I the only one who hates this time of year?

[fcgamer | 4,754]

Holidays generally suck for me, something that happened since I moved to Taiwan. Having no family over here, what I'm doing and with whom varies quite drastically. It's at the point I rarely even acknowledge my birthday, which makes it hard for me to even remember how old I am, I literally need to stop and think about it.

Then for Christmas, we always have to do a shitty show with my students, it's basically the worst parts of Christmas and if Americans did the same thing for a Chinese/Islam /whatever holiday, everyone would be up in arms about it. Many times I even have to work on Christmas day.

All of that being said, I've gotten to the point in life where I believe every day is what one makes of it, how you frame it. I've suffered off and on from chronic depression myself for years, and before that I suffered about five years of psychological abuse, gaslighting, etc. So now I try to force myself to get out of my comfort zone to do things, look for the best in every situation, take a positive attitude even when it's stormy skies, etc.

I imagine holidays will come back to their previous glory once my position in life changes.

 

 

[Mega Tank | 974]

Traffic is just awful. My goal for next Xmas is to not even drive if I can avoid it. Just absolutely terrible.

[Webhead123 | 687]

18 hours ago, the_wizard_666 said:

Like the title says.  I loathe Christmas. The noise, the stress, the idiots that seem to come out of the woodwork...but god forbid I voice my displeasure, because I'm "not in the spirit" or some such nonsense.  Is it too much to want to be left alone?

I also do not care for the way a great many people conduct themselves during this time of year and rampant commercialism and entitlement that sometimes overtake the holiday itself. That said, as something of a hermit and curmudgeon in general, I just tune out all those obnoxious things (just as I do for most of the rest of the year) and focus on what Christmas, et al, does represent for me: the spirit of thankfulness, joy and kindness. I let myself be reminded that I am truly fortunate to have wonderful friends and family, the means to provide for them and very fulfilling hobbies to indulge in. I'm also reminded of my grandparents (now gone) with whom I shared some very memorable Christmases in my early years, and my parents who never let hardship stand in the way of making sure their kids had a lively holiday.

[Mega Tank | 974]

The car behind me got smashed into by another car that was crossing illegally all the way across. Someone didn't play Frogger growing up.

[CT | 100]

There are many reasons why I used to hate Christmas and many other holidays. I was able to talk with professionals and its really up to YOU to decide what these days are like.  If you want to go skiing on December 25th, you go skiing. If you want to be with loved ones and open presents, go ahead and do that.  Find what makes YOU happen. I had to replace the feelings of old traditions with new ones.   My GF and I decided to do a short trip each year, get an AirBnB and that was a great new tradition. I still am not super excited about Christmas but it is much less of a burden than in years past. Create your own tradition and have fun!

[Kalista | 16]

I dislike this time of year, but not because of the holidays. It's more nebulous than that. While I love going on walks while snow falls to the ground and the skies are gray, wintertime always kicks my depression into overdrive. The entire time I've been off work, my mood has tanked. The constant darkness, the stifling weather, the work stress... it all piles up and drives me bonkers. Spending time with my fam is the only highlight over this time of year.

[Link | 2,738]

I like it, but no, you're not the only one.  What I don't like is how much more difficult the weather can make things.

I also don't like forced happiness, and some of the comments itt could do with more empathy or respect for different feelings and circumstances. 

[AirVillain | 491]

On 12/23/2022 at 4:10 PM, the_wizard_666 said:

Like the title says.  I loathe Christmas. The noise, the stress, the idiots that seem to come out of the woodwork...but god forbid I voice my displeasure, because I'm "not in the spirit" or some such nonsense.  Is it too much to want to be left alone?

You're not alone... for various reasons, as others have mentioned.

But it (Christmas/Holiday season depending on your beliefs?) can be all of those things but also awesome at the same time. 

It can be both. It is for me. 

Everything you mentioned is shitty. People are dumb, corporations sell their poorly made products based on consumeristic bullshit and force a narrative of "more is better". You can hate all that, as I do, but still enjoy the "true meaning of Christmas". 

If you want to be left alone, isn't is easy enough to just stay home and chill...? Like, Why would you subject yourself to a mall in November/December knowing these things? I'm sure you could avoid large retail spaces pretty easily. 

But otherwise.... in its "truest" (Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol...) meaning, all the "holidays" represent to many different cultures is gathering and celebrating together with family. 

So.... you can buy presents for people without it being "for no reason", because you can get them something MEANINGFUL or something that they can actually "use" in their life. Or something they would never buy for themselves, to show them that you think they're special...? 

Get what I'm saying? 

Have you seen the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol? It's a bit late for a "Christmas" movie for me, but it still might be possible to catch a little bit of that magic if you get cold days, or have a lazy Sunday. Just think of it as watching a winter muppet comedy movie with an open mind and see what you think.

If you watch "A Muppet Christmas Carol" and don't feel feelings, then I'm not really sure what to say....

Edited December 31, 2022 by AirVillain

[G-type | 2,537]

I enjoy seeing the decorations and hearing the music. But I don’t particularly relish anything that becomes an added chore.  Having to buy gifts can be stressful

Edited January 2, 2023 by G-type