The Holiday Paradox
It’s that time of year where things are getting busy, and I feel the stress. WHY. Why do I let myself get so stressed out, when I truly love the holiday season??? When I sat down to do my planning for the week and realized how busy it is, I told myself, through gritted teeth, “remember you love this!” There’s something extra (besides work and school) for every day of the week, which somehow makes things crazy. I realize there are people who deal with this all the time- their kids have after school activities every day ( how does Sarah do it???) but it’s hard for me. Here’s how my week looks: Monday Okay, this is the most normal day. School for Angie, work for me, and then a flute lesson after school- but the flute teacher comes to our house. This just involves a flurry of tidying up when I get home from work, and then a short time of socializing after the lesson (flute teacher is an old friend of mine). Tuesday School. Work. Angie has an after school rehearsal and I have a private massage client at night. Blerg. Wednesday Oh god. Today my daughter has an all-day jazz band rehearsal at a school about an hour away from us. Since this is my day off from work, I’ll be driving a carpool of kids there and back. We will have to leave hella early in the morning because of rush hour traffic (it will definitely take longer than an hour). I’m planning to just stay up there, because I don’t want to spend four hours in the car going back and forth twice. By the time we get home it will be past dinner time (I wonder what we’re going to eat?) Thursday School. Work. THEN, at night it’s the concert for this jazz band. Once again it’s an hour away (WHY) and we probably won’t get home till 11 pm. Friday School (getting up at 5 am will be fun). Work. At night- football playoff game! Again it will be a late night. Saturday Work. Then- after work I’m taking Charlotte to the vet. I’m really worried they’re going to tell me there’s something seriously wrong with her. Of all the things this week, I’m looking forward to this the least. Sunday Long run! And then- collapsing on the couch in a heap to recover from the week. Oh wait- I can’t do that! I have to start getting ready for Thanksgiving. I’m trying to remember the quote “Some people would take your problems and call them blessings.” What am I really complaining about- making extra money on Tuesday with a private client? The fact that my daughter made an all-county honor band? Am I mad that our football team is in the playoffs? Do I wish my son weren’t coming home soon for Thanksgiving? I just wish that EVERYTHING didn’t have to happen at the same time- but that’s November. And December. Remember- you love this!!! Is your month getting really busy? Do you regularly have after school/evening activities? Are you used to that, or does it stress you out? Top photo by Buddha Elemental 3D on Unsplash