As much as I love most things about the holidays, the stress is not one of them, and oh, how stressful they can be. This year, it’s different.
Having multiple chronic illnesses that have kind of ravaged me lately, I’m thankful this year the holidays mean no stress…or as little as can be.
There’s one person (or maybe two) that I always have to see during the holidays that I’d prefer not to spend time with. This year is different, I don’t have to. When we were asked what the plans were for the holidays, it was nice to say that we are isolating. (With the number of COVID cases rising each day, why would anyone risk getting together? I don’t get it. I’d rather have my loved ones alive and well so we can get together when it’s safe.)
I don’t have to get upset if I’m not invited to parties.
On the other side, when I am invited to a party, I don’t have to worry I won’t be able to go, or might get sick while I’m there.
I don’t have to decorate my house for drop in guests.
I don’t have to feel bad when I can’t host a dinner…no matter how much I’d like to.
This year it will be quiet. I still feel like I need to make nice meals, and cookies, and…. But I don’t have to, and if I don’t, no one will know.
I can just sit back and watch Christmas shows on TV, sing carols out of tune, and eat Chinese take-out if I want.
Okay, the first two, yeah, that will get done, but the Chinese take-out might not. We’ll probably have Dad over for a social distance meal on Christmas, but who knows. Maybe not. It’s a no stress holiday after all.
Remember, we aren’t STUCK at home, we are SAFE at home….and so are our loved ones.
Merry Christmas!
Picnic with Ants 
Amen!
That’s exactly how I’ve felt about my isolating since March 1, 2020. It’s been a blessing to have a “reason” that others, who are healthy, can understand rather than an “excuse” based on not feeling good . . . .
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Yes!!!!! Isn’t it grand?
Merry Christmas Judy!!❤️
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This is awesome! Just take it easy and be safe from covid! Win:win
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Wendy
Love your email. We’re doing the same this year. No party to go to and we’re not having anyone over. We do have our house decorated with a couple of things so it does look nice.
We will have a nice dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fir the two of us.
We will be zoom with Scott, Kim and the grand daughter’s for sure. Other that that it will be very quiet.
Merry Christmas to you both. Zia Dot
Sent from my iPad
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Merry Christmas!!!!
We’ve decorated a little, but not as much as I would if we had people over.
It’s just a laid back holiday for us.
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Yeaaaaah, buddy! I will be using ‘the holidays’ as an excuse to drink weird adult beverage concoctions. I might even make some cookies for the same seasonal reason but, really, it’s just an excuse for me to be an asocial glutton. 😀
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Yeaaassss!!!! Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!!
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Keep safe and enjoy the lower stress levels. Also, more cookies for you and Stuart! Gotta find the positives where we can.
Merry Christmas!
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Have a safe and happy holiday!!!
Love you my friend.
Best to G.
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Well said!
Social isolating is what I’ve done for years — not because I’m contagious, but rather, as you point out, chronic illness/chronic pain forces a sort of self-isolating. We get used to being housebound and storm stayed.
Our house is too small for people to “drop in” or be invited over, lol.
Other than giving presents to others, sending cards and this year, giving back to the community as a volunteer, we don’t really “do” Christmas, anyway.
We decorated the landlady’s house which is on the front of the property. Out shoveling recently, a woman walked by and said “Thank you, the decorated spruce makes me smile.” I said, “Thank you — you’ve just made me smile, too.”
Wishing you health, happiness and hope — here’s to a new and improved year in 2021.
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