As I ventured out to purchase a pair of swim goggles yesterday, I assumed it would be a simple task. It’s still summer, after all, and swim season is in full swing with temperatures soaring to 99 degrees and long evenings that encourage kids to wear their bathing suits until bedtime.
Instead of finding the goggles I needed, I was met with a wave of holiday anxiety—yes, the Christmas season stress—slapping me right in the face, even through my sunscreen.
I thought I could leisurely browse through aisles filled with inflatable pool toys and sand shovels, but instead, I found shelves overflowing with composition notebooks, colorful markers, and shiny lunch boxes. Just a few aisles away, a clerk was stacking pumpkin-shaped Halloween buckets alongside garlands adorned with autumn leaves. And behind her, I could have sworn I saw another employee assembling an artificial Christmas tree.
What is going on here? We are still months away from Santa’s arrival, yet here I was, feeling the pressure of the holiday season. And if you think visiting a craft store would offer any relief, think again. Last week, it was a patriotic overload, and now it resembles the North Pole.
Even my Pinterest feed seemed out of control. I was searching for refreshing summer cocktail recipes, only to be inundated with Elf on the Shelf ideas—during July!
This needs to stop! I refuse to jump onto the holiday stress train before I’m ready—or ever, for that matter. It feels like the moment we drop our kids off at school every fall, the Christmas shopping frenzy kicks into high gear, leaving little room for Halloween or even Thanksgiving. By the time November rolls around, my calendar is packed with holiday parties, school plays, and cookie exchanges, leaving me feeling like Mrs. Claus herself might need some calming eggnog just to cope.
Last year, I received my first Christmas card the day after Thanksgiving. A family managed to coordinate matching sweaters, schedule a photo shoot, and mail their cards before I even had time to pack away my beach gear. It’s infuriating!
For those of us who carry the burden of holiday preparations, the stress can be overwhelming. The shopping, cooking, and hosting typically falls on the mother, and it seems to begin earlier and earlier each year. The pressure to create a perfect Christmas for my family used to hit me around December 20, but now I find myself mentally preparing for a gingerbread house decorating party while grilling hot dogs in the summer heat.
No more! This year, I’m giving myself a break. I’m going to take it slow and process one season at a time, enjoying summer until the very last moment. I refuse to think about pumpkins, stockings, or any holiday obligations until I’m ready. I will steer clear of the holiday aisles until the temperature drops significantly, and I won’t even create a Christmas to-do list until I’ve tucked away all my Thanksgiving decorations.
This year, I’m prioritizing my mental well-being over holiday chaos. Moms, who’s with me?
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In summary, it’s crucial to prioritize your mental health and not let the holiday season overwhelm you. Embrace each season fully, and don’t rush into the next one.
Keyphrase: holiday stress management
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