Making It Through the Holidays

As a single parent, I often found myself overwhelmed with great expectations for the holidays. I hoped my ex would come home and be all that we (I thought) needed from him. I thought the children (the ingrates) would appreciate all my efforts to provide a good holiday for them all of these ingredients added to my continual depression yearly. It wasn't until I began to accept myself for the good and the bad of me, accepted the situations of my life being exactly as it was and not what I wanted it to be and pretty much just allowed my life to be - the depression ceased. The holidays are difficult, at best, for those who are over achievers buying all that they can for their loved ones to remain in debt through the year. The holiday parties, office gifts, and other trinkets and festivities we are required to give and/or participate in because of the date of the year. I would often say nobody gives bonuses because it Christmas time, but I worked for attorneys and actually some years I did get a bonus. For those who lost loved one through year, and for those of us who hoped that we would find that special someone before this time of the year and the list goes on. I suggest that we be gentle to ourselves and let the holidays pass with all the joy that we live any other days of our lives and be good to you. For the holidays, buy yourself a present, give yourself a Spa day away from the hustle and bustle and on Christmas make sure that you get the biggest gift with the largest bow under the tree.