Tis The Season

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 A FEW THINGS--

Things I thought I would have as an adult:

1. A thriving career

2. An amazing social life

3. An impressive retirement account

Things I actually have as an adult:

1. A plastic bag filled with plastic bags

2. A favorite spatula

3. Crippling anxiety

Awww--Tis the season for crippling anxiety. Let the Holidays begin. Friends and family gather and there is ALWAYS someone that has to start something. With subjects like--politics, deep dark family secrets that can't be held any longer and MUST be said while the turkey is being served. Gun rights, The Rittenhouse Trial. Afterwards when everyone is full and angry---the TikToks will be played at full blast (to annoy ME) because it is just rude if you choose NOT to wait at least an hour for pie. Anyone having these thoughts? Or just me?

So how do we tackle the anxiety of the Holidays? I don't freakin know--I am not a shrink! I just know that usually my anxiety is through the roof during this time. So what is different? I am different.

I am changing. I am coming up on my one year anniversary on having COVID-19. Do I care what your thoughts are on COVID-19. I don't. I REALLY don't. It sucked for me--made me think about death. I am still having issues with brain fog, smell, taste and fatigue. I started to think about what would happen to my family IF I died. My kids even thought about what would happen IF I died. And I tell ya--if that doesn't change your thoughts about life--then I don't know what will.

Life is just to short for the BS. Life is just to short. Ended family tensions and if the tensions are still there--the boundaries are up and they are actually staying up which is something I have never done. Found my village with close friends and family. Although I am still adjusting my village. Sometimes I am just not a good judge of character...something I am working on. Worked on my marriage--and it was a joint effort. Made a plan for myself. Started setting goals on clearing the clutter, dealing with all the emotional shopping I have done in the last 20 years. And I decided to care about my health. Getting my teeth fixed, working on my diabetic health, getting a physical. I am worthy of having good health, a good family, good friends, a good career, and an organized house--and so are you. COVID-19 was the worst and greatest thing that ever happened to me. It set a lot of stuff in motion.

I am vaccinated--will get 100 booster shots if needed. My daughters are vaccinated, my youngest son just had his first round of the vaccine. My husband is waiting for a Friday that he isn't trucking on a Saturday in case he has a reaction--no one wants to have a reaction to a vaccine while driving a truck. And my oldest son is still considering getting the shot. He is not anti vaccine at all--he just has this massive super power immune system and rarely gets sick. Like a massive super power--I am so jealous. 

Enough about COVID-19. How do we handle the Holiday season without going completely insane? I don't know. I know where I stand on my political thoughts. Do I feel the need to engage with someone who disagrees with me? Hell no. Is it going to change their mind or change mine? No. Not engaging should kill the conversation--if it doesn't--take your sock off and throw it on the table. That should throw things off a little bit.

Bring a board game-- Someone flipping a table because you have a hotel on Park Place is so much more fun then talking about Gun Rights. 

Play the new Adele album. You will be to busy crying to discuss Critical Race Theory. 

Eat the pie immediately after eating your meal--tell everyone to jog on and head to the movie theater because nothing says love like getting into a car, driving off angry to see the latest Disney movie. 

In all seriousness--I don't have any answers on handling anxiety during the Holidays. Relax, Enjoy the meal, let the crazy ones say their peace and remember we are alive, we are breathing, we have a beautiful world and kindness will go so much further than anger. 

I am truly counting my blessings this year. And--I am going to be a Grandma like any day now. When a new life comes into this world--if that doesn't humble a person--I don't know what does. 

Until Next Time--

Kristi 


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