No, Christmas is not coming early for us this year. However, now is the time to start thinking about the holidays and making your plan for surviving the season.
I know -- it's overwhelming to think about the hectic holiday season, especially if thinking about it makes you relive the stress of former years when it took a heavy toll on you. The thing is, if we're ever going to get through the holidays with fewer negative consequences we have to get started early.
Formulating a plan now can help you feel and be more in control of the next several months. It can help you prioritize so the really important things get done. In the end, it can help you have a more enjoyable holiday season with less recovery time.
My first couple of holiday seasons with fibromyalgia were disastrous. I put things off because I didn't feel up to doing them, then ended up in a panicked scramble for several days because I was certain my shortcomings would destroy Christmas for my young children. I've learned a lot since then, and each holiday season has gone better than the one before.
I owe a huge debt to a woman in my forum, Denyse, who posted her holiday plan a few years ago. I took her plan and adapted it into:
I hope you'll look it over and start working on your plan now.
What have your holidays typically been like since you've been sick? Has careful planning helped you? What mistakes have you made? Leave your comments below!
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Ha! First couple of Christmases I did the same thing. Now that all my kids are grown and out of the house, I don’t even try. I send checks. They seem to like those better anyway. I don’t knock myself out decorating and we bought a plastic tree.
I used to remember Christmas as being so busy, but so fun! Now I settle for going for a drive with my husband to look at Christmas lights…and we’re both okay with that.
I shop for pressies all the year round. I like to have everything in place before the 1st December as that is the day I like to start on the decorations…..it takes best of two weeks to get them up! I love the house done up. Don’t laugh but I still have some decoartions in my conservatory as I left them there for effect. Good job I,m not superstitious but I believe it’s unlucky to do so. My daughter aged 21 then developed Cancer! Life is life and that’s it for me. Yes I plan and always will as it was only ever down to me always!
Last year we purchased a really lovely artificial tree which we decorated with animals and glass icicles. We put off taking it down week by week, and guess what? It’s still up! My hubby said with the animals on it and being in our garden room, he liked seeing it there. I will think of all of you laboriously putting up and balancing and decorating your trees. I’ll be doing the NYTimes Xword with my Jim!
Merry Christmas, all!
Marti
I don’t expect Christmas to be perfect anymore. I already have half my shopping done. My hubby wraps everything. I bake shortbread and buy a few treats. We cut way back on decorations and the house doesn’t have to be spotless because nobody notices anyway.
Oh yes, having a plan is helpful. I have a plan for almost everything including grocery shopping. It helps me be as productive as possible, survive the day and come out of it feeling at least somewhat balanced. In every plan I also always try to have a way of managing stress. Whether it be as simple as carrying my ipod with me or planning a day simply consisted of self care and relaxation.
I have been starting my shopping earlier each year. Before beign diganoised I never knew why I was always streeed by shopping so I started it in the fall. Now I shop end of summer into the fall: Avoid the madness, and actually get to enjoy the holiday. I have also learned the art of saying “no” when it comes to too many family reguests. I do what my body allows and try to get plenty of rest.
the holidays are stressful at times. I still have a teenager at home and we both like fresh cut trees. one day we get it next day lights next day ornaments. The house doesnt get fully decorated, but looking at the finished tree gives me joy.