Anxiety   80 members

By: momKaren 1 month ago

I guess what I most struggle with on holidays is how to maintain that joyful attitude, while dealing with the stress of getting everything done. You know, the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the cleaning. The actual DAY where you are playing Santa one minute and then trying to clear the room the next to make room for all the company. Prepare the food, rip a Barbarie doll out of that secure wrapping, bring it the folding chairs, the list goes on and on. Frankly, it make me grumpy and tired. Doesn't help that the kids woke up before the sun and the house isn't big enough for all these people. Seems that no matter how I try to simplify things or enlist help, it's still very stressful. Sorry to say, I just can't wait til its over. Where's the joy for me?

By: Jasper 1 month ago

My kids are older so I don't have the Santa or getting up at dawn thing anymore.  But I lost my Dad on 12/21/06.  So even though Christmas is still a joy in my family, I struggle silently because of missing my Dad.  How do I overcome this awful sadness on the anniversary of my father's death?

By: MomSue 1 month ago

My problem is that the entire family expects me to do everything.  My sister-in-law is divorced (no kids) and living with her parents, my brother-in-law and wife have no kids, another brother-in-law is divorced, no kids. The in-laws are elderly.  So if I want my kids to see their family at Christmas (and Thanksgiving and Easter, and, and.....) I have to clean, cook, send invites. etc.  Every year, I think:  Why me? 

By: HollyAyn 1 month ago

Jasper, I'm so sorry for your loss.  But to answer your question, to the best of your ability celebrate your father's life.  Remember his love for you, the funny stories, and the things he taught you.

What I'd like to read for my mental health around Christmas-time are anecdotes of what others have done to keep the stress at bay, whether by sticking to one's 'list', or doing the 'one thing' that will bring joy.  I prefer stories over 'how-to' articles, and tend to glean more tips for my own life that way.

Personally, I remind myself to "be a Mary instead of a Martha."  If I'm stuck in busy work without focusing on the important, its no fun.  But when I prioritize and do the things that God would have me do, things that bring true joy and not just mere happiness and let the rest wait or completely fall off my to-do list, the stress just seems to fade away. 

By: wyk 1 month ago

well i do celebrate the birth of Jesus and i still do,but holidays are sad for me now .my daughter passed away last october and the holidays isn't the same.i try to enjoy holidays  for her children ,that i and my son are raising.and this year my son and his wife will have a little Lily Grace at christmas dinner,so that will be a joy.but it will still be sad in my heart because my daughter will not be there to enjoy the family circle.which i feel the family circle has been broken for me.life is full of disappointments,but by the grace of GOD we will get threw it as a family.pray for us and mostly her 2 children son 9 and daughter 7.