Did any of you guys get the Christmas blues?

[Serap]

I didn’t realize it until my husband said something to me during the Christmas holiday. He told me that he thought I was depressed. I was in denial and thought I was just feeling a little bit down.

I made an effort to just focus on my husband’s family and my daughter, but the “D” word still bit me in the butt this year. I lost my desire to go out with my husband and daughter on family playdates. I forced myself to go out and do things with them, but I had no energy. On Christmas Day, I cooked a meal that my husband loved; I went through all the motions of Christmas spirit, but all I wanted to do was sleep through it.

I was even asleep at 11:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and that’s the night I first met my husband. I could have at least stayed awake long enough to hug my husband

Then almost like magic, as soon as Epiphany was over, I felt energized and positive again; back to my usual self.

 

[stbruno]

I wasn’t depressed but I do get highly stressed with deadlines and expectations of others for me.
That’s partly why I do not enjoy the holiday for what it was intended. If I didn’t have daily mass and weekly adoration, I think I would go goofy because I know that there is much more than the glitz and expectations of making this a memorable holiday.

 

[whatevergirl]

I didn’t realize it until my husband said something to me during the Christmas holiday. He told me that he thought I was depressed. I was in denial and thought I was just feeling a little bit down.

I made an effort to just focus on my husband’s family and my daughter, but the “D” word still bit me in the butt this year. I lost my desire to go out with my husband and daughter on family playdates. I forced myself to go out and do things with them, but I had no energy. On Christmas Day, I cooked a meal that my husband loved; I went through all the motions of Christmas spirit, but all I wanted to do was sleep through it.

I was even asleep at 11:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and that’s the night I first met my husband. I could have at least stayed awake long enough to hug my husband

Then almost like magic, as soon as Epiphany was over, I felt energized and positive again; back to my usual self.

Hi Serap–for years, my sister went through the motions of Christmas…I think that she and I, from losing our parents (I was much younger than her)…Christmas would sometimes mark a very painful time for us. But, I have since healed…I wonder if that could be the same for you? Did anything ‘depressing’ happen when you were a kid…and Christmas changed thereafter?

 

[Gwyn]

This year both DH and self felt that way…however 2 weeks before Christmas, I pushed myself to get in the spirit for DS’s sake.

 

[Serap]

Hi Serap–for years, my sister went through the motions of Christmas…I think that she and I, from losing our parents (I was much younger than her)…Christmas would sometimes mark a very painful time for us. But, I have since healed…I wonder if that could be the same for you? Did anything ‘depressing’ happen when you were a kid…and Christmas changed thereafter?

Actually, it happened this summer and stupid me, it still came as a surprise that my family would treat me the way they do. My side of the family planned a marriage and it is taking place this week in the Domenican Republic. My husband and I decided not to be part of it b/c of the way my family treated us (long story). It finally gave me a true understanding that despite my ideals, some people just don’t change.

My family has no idea that I am bummed over it and if they knew, they wouldn’t care anyway. It doesn’t seem to bother them that we are not coming. My husband advised me to be the better person; wish my brother all the best; wish my family a fun trip; but not to get involved in any drama. That’s what I’ve done, but I’ve been a little bummed since the summer.

As a result, Christmas blues hit this year. C’est la vie.

 

[samcarter14]

Yes, I get the Christmas blues. December 21st is the anniversary of my brother’s sudden death–my oldest was a baby then and it was his first Christmas. I’m usually very blank and down from December 7th on, and am still getting up out of it by the New Year. This year my grandmother died on New Year’s Eve Day, so that just added more into it.

What helped a lot this year: I have a good friend who went Christmas shopping with me (I hate shopping in general, and Christmas shopping even more so). DH does most of the shopping for the kids, he’s very good at it and I’m just horrible. I focus on the food and the decorating, the stuff I can stay inside to do. And still, my kids get one type of Christmas cookie. Making more than that just jogs more memories of making cookies with my brother around when we were kids.

It’s been 8 years since he died and it is getting better. The first year after he died was awful. I told DH i had to be by myself on the 21st, and I just stayed out all day away from my family or anybody who knew me. Now I do better, but partly that is because i have more kids and I have to focus on them, not me.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I get the post-Christmas blues. The decorations come down, and its like being thrust out into a cheerless void. Makes Lent that much more penitential, and Easter that much more welcome. Being single, I don’t cotton much to what St. Valentine’s Day has devolved into. Thank God I’m three-quarters Irish, that way St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal for us, and more than just a blip on the radar of the liturgical year.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I get the post-Christmas blues. The decorations come down, and its like being thrust out into a cheerless void. Makes Lent that much more penitential, and Easter that much more welcome. Being single, I don’t cotton much to what St. Valentine’s Day has devolved into. Thank God I’m three-quarters Irish, that way St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal for us, and more than just a blip on the radar of the liturgical year.

I always get the “Christmas Blues”. Christmas is not my favorite holiday. I think the reason is that it has something to do with the lack of daylight–the shortest days of the year are around Christmas and some of us are susceptible to depression because of this. I also work in a windowless area, and sometimes I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, never seeing the light of day. Once the days start to lengthen, my mood lifts, and I celebrate my favorite Holy Day–Easter!!!

 

[whatevergirl]

Actually, it happened this summer and stupid me, it still came as a surprise that my family would treat me the way they do. My side of the family planned a marriage and it is taking place this week in the Domenican Republic. My husband and I decided not to be part of it b/c of the way my family treated us (long story). It finally gave me a true understanding that despite my ideals, some people just don’t change.

My family has no idea that I am bummed over it and if they knew, they wouldn’t care anyway. It doesn’t seem to bother them that we are not coming. My husband advised me to be the better person; wish my brother all the best; wish my family a fun trip; but not to get involved in any drama. That’s what I’ve done, but I’ve been a little bummed since the summer.

As a result, Christmas blues hit this year. C’est la vie.

It could be that because Christmas is a ‘family’ time, the family event that saddened you over the summer, crept back during the holidays. I’m sorry. Well, it’s a new year, and hopefully, this year, Christmas will be a bit brighter of a time for you. ((hugs)) :hug1:

 

[Salonika]

I always find some aspects of the lead up to Christmas give me the blues over it.

These include:

1 the stress of getting everything finished at work (why do we put a “by Christmas” deadline on so many things?)

2 the socialisation that is expected at work especially when it also involves being expected to agree and celebrate what a great year has been when this hasn’t been so

3 people not understanding that over Christmas I like to have a break from routine and do things in my time not theirs

4 people who think because I am on my own I will be lonely if I don’t have something to do or someone to be with most of the time (when I want the opposite more time to myself than with others).

It’s reassuring to find that I am not alone in feeling this way at Christmas. It certainly isn’t the approved way to feel, is it?