Holiday Blues

Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Well, the holidays have officially arrived.

I'm feeling blue.

I've had trouble with depression around the holidays on and off for many, many years. Some years it hits me hard and I alternate between wanting to take out my eyes with a fork or sleeping through the whole thing. Some years it just flits across my day like a bug looking (and failing) to find some lunch.

This year I'm feeling middling blue.

The precursors this year were the fact that I couldn't get up the motivation to send out Christmas cards, and I also didn't prepare gift baskets for friends and family. For me, this is a "danger, danger, Will Robinson!" moment, and a pretty good indicator of the blues' arrival.

Usually I take solace in buying Christmas presents for friends and family, because I like giving presents. This year, however, I didn't spend as much, and two of my primary gift receivers wanted cash. A trip to the ATM isn't exactly filled with holiday cheer.

Plus our holiday plans are now up in the air due to unforeseen (and uncontrollable) circumstances. That's making everyone blue.

So, a propensity to holiday depression + un-joyful gift giving processes + one neurotic dog + one hurt Hot Mom + an economy in the crapper + uncertain job security = holiday blues.

As Hellboy would say - Aw, Crap.

11 comments:

Shawn Powers said...

All I can do is sympathize. My other ideas (drinking, high risk sports, streaking through town, getting a Mogwai wet, etc) are all not so great actually.

Random Michelle K said...

I'm trying to think of something, but as I'm feeling meh myself right now, all I can come up with is what my office mate and I have recently taken to consoling ourselves with, "at least we don't work in a sewage treatment plant."

Cindi in CO said...

Michelle, please knock wood when you and your office mate console yourselves.

Because you never know.

And J.- things will look up. For both of us.

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Just from an experienced eye here, working in a sewage treatment plant isn't all that bad.
Please dont' ask HOW I know....
I hear you, Janiece.
Lots of things to be grateful for this holiday, but add to the stress "What are you doing for (fill in the blank)?" from well-meaning friends when all you REALLY want to do is sit on the couch in jammies and eat or read...
And being single brings out ALL the sympathy invites.
But wait! This year I have the Mechanicky Guy!
NO WORRIES!
Well, not exactly. At what point in the dating scheme of things do you assume that you will spend said holiday together? And where? And how?
And then there are the invites that appear because now that you have a date, you are OK to invite places! (Everyone, us single gals know we are the kiss o' death. We know that we don't get invited to couples events or dinners. So when you invite us, suddenly, WE KNOW. Just lettin' you all know)
I guess the holidays aren't that exciting for me this year, either.
It's OK.
We're all in this boat together, and we'll pull through!

WendyB_09 said...

Geez, I thought it was just me.

Had techincal difficulties with my 30 year old tree finally fiving up the ghost, so never did get around to putting up any other decor.

Thought about doing fruitcake and never got around to it.

Finally bought Christmas cards, have yet to get them out.

Just Bleh. Mostly the lack-o-job situation and general economy crap.
But even after being out of retail for over a decade, I still find it hard to get excited about Christmas some years.

This would be one of them.

I'm right there with ya sista!

mattw said...

I think Hellboy would then smash something to make himself feel better. Either that or have pancakes and/or candy bars. Either or both of those might help.

I hope your blues drift away in time to have a merry Christmas.

Janiece said...

Amy, I want you to know that the Smart Man and I do not discriminate against our single friends when it comes to group activities.

No, no. No discrimination.

And I'm hoping for the best, y'all. I'll keep everyone apprised of exciting events as they unfold...

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Janiece, I KNOW that you and Smart Man are one of the few that fully include Singletons in your activities! I was casting the slant eye in the direction of some OTHER friends, who shall remain nameless (cough cough Trish, cough, Dave).
But all in all, it's just not that exciting of a season at Casa Fairhaven!

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Oh! I went to our local BevMo (can you say "Drunks Abound"!!! Very exciting!) and found a PERFECT Mojito mixer.
It compliments the Rolled Tacos magnificently and gussies up that cheapo rum I bought!
I will have it on hand for your next visit! (Because really, those last Mike's Lemon Drop drinks are STILL in the fridge. Just. Can't. Drink. Them.)

MWT said...

Hmmm... I think now is a good time to recall the story of how the Grinch was unable to steal Christmas no matter how many material things he took away.

Anne C. said...

Thanks for identifying that trend, Mechanicky Gal! I was thinking it was just me! Bleargh!
I'm thankful that J & T don't discriminate (rather, they are discriminating, but just about the quality of friends they gather). The times I've been invited out by them have been extremely fun.

Hope things improve, Janiece. You know you have me as a resource on some of your complications there, just let me know how I can help. :)