This time of the year is typically characterized by a number of features:
- Going from quiet to frantic
- Going from relaxed to under immense pressure
- Trying to meet everyone’s expectations, yet having no time to attend to your own needs
- Work pressures actually increase as you approach the Festive Day
- The pressure on social engagement triples
- The media bombardment is all Christmas oriented, regardless of your religious persuasion, and sets unprecedented demands on us, even if it is subliminal
It’s no wonder people often refer to this jolly time as “The Silly Season”.
We All Go A Little Crazy
Have you noticed that drivers become even more distracted than usual as they have a long list of things to do whilst out and about: more grocery shopping, purchasing gifts, finding parking spaces becomes a challenge in itself. If they are parents, their children are slightly discombobulated because school has become a bore, and the kids want a break. Peoples jobs are under pressure in many cases to get loose ends tidied up before the Festive Season shutdowns.
Please note the majority of people are experiencing the same stresses and pressures. Therefore the community and environment in which everyone operates spirals out of control.
The Weather Also Contributes
Plus in the southern hemisphere the weather normally gets hotter and hotter. So all in all, it’s a bit like being in the kitchen on Christmas / Festive Day with the roast making things hotter, while you just want to be like a cool prawn and refrigerated in the corner.
Families Get Together, not always a good thing
It’s also a time when families get together … we can choose our friends, however sadly, not our family members, we simply inherit them. Family of course means your family or your partners family, your ex-partners family, your partners ex-partners family. And then there are the extended family members, the peculiar uncle and the Crazy cat lady auntie, the odd cousin here and there and how to then satisfy not just one set of in-laws, but perhaps, multiple sets of in-laws?
Traffic, Driving, Food Transporting
Now consider the logistics of the Christmas Day / Festive Season drive, because in many cases, Christmas Day is a 25km, 50km, 100km or even a further drive away. The drive has additional challenges of, keeping food hot or cold or frozen, covered, keep it level or it will fall over and spill …. and the traffic. Yep, the traffic, because everyone else is doing the same thing, battling with kids, presents, food and directions to that place you haven’t been to for a long time. The pleasant anticipation of seeing family members you don’t always see eye to eye about whether that be politics, religion or any other hot topic that comes up on the day.
Not Happy Jan
For others the Festive Season can be a time of sadness and loss, as they think of those who are no longer amongst us, people who are alone, infirmed, unwell, who live on the street, who don’t have any family left or have chosen to live life without their family.
So the Festive Season, may not be so Festive for all.
Helpful Hints and Suggestions
So to help you through the minefield of the Festive Season, remember, it doesn’t last forever, “this too shall pass”. Remember also, the Festive Season is what you make of it. You can always get up and stole around outside, pat the dog, the cat, the guinea pig, or the pony. Alternatively, become the plate collector or the person who tops up the refreshments with a smile and exchange pleasantries, knowing the day will end, you will survive, for after all “tis the season to be jolly”.
Oh, and by the way, you can also book in to see a therapist in the New Year.
