QOTW: Do holidays increase your anxiety?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
QOTW: Do holidays increase your anxiety?
6
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 10:28am

QOTW: Do holidays increase your anxiety?



  • Yes.
  • No.
  • Sometimes. Please share any thoughts.
  • It depends on the holiday. Please share any thoughts.


You will be able to change your vote.


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 11:38am

My *T* and I actually discussed this last week because I love this time of year. I've already pulled out the Christmas CDs, and I'm itching to put up my tree--but I'm making myself wait until after Thanksgiving. What makes it hard is that the holidays send my mom into a grand funk and she gets really crabby, tense, and depressed. And so it makes it really hard--and sometimes downright unpleasant--to go see my parents for the holidays because I am bursting with excitement and happiness and good cheer with Christmas carols running through my head in a continuous loop. And I get to my parents' house, and my mom sucks all the joy out. I don't deal with it very well, I'm afraid. She's now very defensive because my dad--who, admittedly, doesn't have much tact sometimes--basically told her that she ruins the holidays for him and for me and that it's her fault we end up fighting with each other. So I was talking with my *T* about ways to cope with this and I was getting very angry, saying "Why should I have to be the one to change when I'm not the one going around wrecking everyone's Christmas?"


And this is actually the most stressful time of the year at work because of our increased workload. Everyone here is on edge because we've got double the amount of work to do, and we're being pressured to do more faster, and we're not allowed to relax and have fun at work the way everyone else does because we have so much work.


So--a very long answer to your question--I love this time of year, but I have to fight very hard for it between my mom and my job that I hate even on a "good" day.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 4:55pm

I voted sometimes, because I really love the holidays and have wonderful memories & warm fuzzies about 'em. I love doing all the decorations, cooking special stuff, shopping, special times at home with DD & DH. I so look forward to doing some of our family traditions with DD and hopefully passing on those good memories to her.

But sometimes I try to do too much. I get stressed about plans with family and not having a concrete schedule of when people will show up (DH's side is not good with this). Also your basic emotional baggage about being separated from some family during this time and "stuck" with other family (in-laws) that I'm not so fond of or am avoiding.

Though I feel much better that I have taken positive action on planning a Thanksgiving that I am more comfy with this year.

Smiles,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2004
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 6:21pm
Not as much anymore. Since we are hosting, it is easier...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 1:00pm
I voted *yes.* It seems that I am always low during the holiday season & my anxiety is triggered more easily. My only sister died in '94 after willing herself to live for her children through one last holiday season. My family has issues as well. They aren't happy campers EVER & seem to be @ their worst during these months. I call the dinners *toxic family gatherings.* I want to go, but don't want the hassle. I want to be happy, but noone around me seems to be. Kind of ambivalent): As usual, I'll do what's expected & hope for the best. jan


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Thu, 11-23-2006 - 8:46pm

Christmas can cause me more anxiety because I feel the pressure to get decorations up, have the cards ready to mail and remember to have all the gifts bought on time. It is still my favorite holiday!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 11-25-2006 - 7:59pm
Last bump before the archives;)

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