Have a Mediocre Holiday
Say ‘yes’ to being a holiday underachiever
I hope I reach you before The Madness sweeps you away. Chances are it doesn’t have you in its grip quite yet, though it could be close. Or perhaps you are already succumbing.
And just what is The Madness? It is Everything You Must Do in Order to Have a Great Holiday. It is fulfilling grand expectations, whether your own or those of someone else’s. Maybe your mother’s or mother-in-law’s, or your spouse’s or your kids’? Does the mere thought of everything you have to do to ensure that everyone in your family has a great holiday grab you at the sternum and trickle down to your gut? Does it excite you…or does it hit you with a twinge of dread?
If your answer is dread, here is my suggestion: Change the goal from having a fabulous holiday to having a mediocre one. Mediocre holidays are much gentler on the psyche. You know the saying, What goes up must come down? The holiday mood — anticipation, excitement, chaos — not only has to come from somewhere, it has to go somewhere when it’s over! The time, money, and energy it takes to create an amazing holiday is likely siphoned from your daily life. Before the festivities, you’re working on adrenaline, anticipation, and possibly even guilt. Afterward, you crash.
Now, what if you decide not to steal from whatever makes your daily life good? Your…
