Anyone else??

[UnderstandingMyPain]

Is anyone else feeling anxious 😫 about their Christmas 🎄 shopping 🛍?

[LiveandLetLive42]

Yes!!!! Ahhhhhh 😆 I want to enjoy Christmas and I’m trying. I want to get all my presents here and wrapped. I literally freak out about this every night!!

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to LiveandLetLive42]

I knowwwwww right!!! It seems as if I can’t get the “right” gift. I want to get everything done with, that I don’t have to worry about wrapping things last minute

[All_alone]

I'm not anxious about shopping but I'm not doing it this yr. I am anxious about Christmas though. A neighbor asked me today what I'm doing and I jokingly responded, I'm hiding under the bed. He said a local restaurant is open and asked if I wanted to go eat. That might be nice.

[NeuronerdDoaty in reply to All_alone]

All_alone slide over. I’ll bring the refreshments. 🤶

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to All_alone]

Oh yesssss do it!!! That would be good!! Good conversation and the both of you get a chance to learn something new about each other. You should think of a little game for the both of you (nothing childish though lol) like 21 questions about your neighbor.

[All_alone in reply to UnderstandingMyPain]

I think I will do dinner. Actually he has been very supportive of me over the last year. He has also seen me not at my worst but pretty close to it. Lol

There is this card game I found on Amazon by vertallis. It provides thought provoking questions. It's in my wish list box. Maybe they have a neighbor version! Lol

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to All_alone]

Lol maybe. Well that’s good he has been supportive. I’m happy you get to spend Christmas with him. Even asking simple questions like, something you wished you did but didn’t have the chance? Overall just being able to be around someone is great!!!!! Do you possibly think maybe there is another person in your neighborhood that may want to join. Kinda plan something with your neighbor and see if he is up to it. More the merrier. Just throwing thoughts out there ☺️

[Agora1]

Hi, you are not alone with that feeling. What I hate most is the count down.

Instead of enjoying the season, it's like a count down to dooms day lol

Not good for the anxious person. We need to be more laid back.

All in all my friend, it will get done. It doesn't matter what you bought

everyone, what matters is that you will be all together.

Merry Christmas! xx

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to Agora1]

That’s true. I should view it from that perspective.

[Agora1 in reply to UnderstandingMyPain]

Let there be laughter, good times and memories that will follow

you through a lifetime. xx

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to Agora1]

Great point!!! I always appreciate your point of views!!!! 💜

[AuraAethyr]

Yes

[Hidden]

I don’t want to do Christmas, I feel completely anxious and it makes feel sick to my tummy with stress at the thought of wasting money of gifts. I refuse to do it. But then I also feel worthless for feeling this way. I am alone , single mom..... it’s very lonely and don’t even want a partner, just others to communicate with, grab coffee... laugh, vent...etc.

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to Hidden]

Noooo don’t feel alone. I’m a single mom too. I have two children and I am only spending my Christmas with them. Oh and my mom who is here visiting (but that’s another story) but my children is all I have and I already planned on making the best of it. I would like to have other people and family around but realistically That’s not going to happen and I’m okay with it. It will get better. Trust me. While my children spend their week with their father I am looking up ideas and games I can play with them, making new traditions with them. Something the three of us can call our own.

[Poodie in reply to Hidden]

Hi BeFree3.

I think if you don’t want to do XMas then don’t. It can be a waste of money and it is always wise not to spend money on anything you can’t afford, I used to go all out, especially for my kids when they were young. Now we pick a theme and just select one thing to give one another. My kids would have been fine with that even sooner. I Don t know how many or how old yours are.

Maybe there is something free that you can do together.

I think belonging to some kind of support group may help you find people to bond with if you want . I used to hear about single people in a group like

al a non planning to have Thanksgiving or XMas together.

I know what you mean tho because I started to compare myself to friends on Facebook talking about getting a tree, decorating, whatever. I did get the feeling of being “less then” because I have chosen to downplay the holidays. Doing it my way is o k too and feels like the right choice for me.

[Hidden in reply to Poodie]

I feel like that’s the right thing to do, I will not force it or just do it out of pressure. But I want to be honest and open with my children who already have everything.... but being divorced now and in a totally different mind set, my priorities have shifted. I work in a major retail department store and gotta be honest having lots a panic attacks at work due to SO many people shopping and spending. I just feel low. Thanks for responding to me, I appreciate it. I got off all social media a while ago because it’s not healthy to me mentally. I may ask my boys to pick out 1 special thing.

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to Hidden]

Of course! No problem at all. We are on this site to get understanding and receive support. Understandable of your pain and anxiety due to work and just life period. As moms there is so much on our plates ppl fail to realize how much hurt it can bring us in other areas. We are placed in positions to always be strong (which is good and has its benefits) but it’s also good to vent as well. We can do this. I know you can.

[Poodie in reply to Hidden]

Hi. I answered you and since I am such a moron , I posted it as a reply under Understanding my pain. Can you look for it there?

[Poodie]

You know I stink at using this site.. I meant this reply to go under Be free3 ! Yes, I agree about social media. Sometimes it gets to be a big competition of who does what and who has what. I especially feel that way when I am depressed ! However I have never used it much.

It must be hard to be working in a department store with all that holiday stuff in front of your face. You can’t escape it. And it is just too much. When I see XMas adds starting right after Halloween, I cringe. It all about the money . Someone told me we spend the first half of our lives getting things and the second half getting rid of things!

Just think, if you do not decorate then you will not have to take it all down and put it away !

Lots of people enjoy all the commotion. I can’t cope with it so I just try to sail thru the season doing it the way I want.

Great to talk to your kids. They will understand and it is a valuable lesson for them. Just make sure they know how much you love them. In fact someday when you are up to it, have them buy a present to give someone who has nothing.

[Hidden in reply to Poodie]

Thank you both for great words of support. I appreciate it.

[Want2BHappy3]

Iam, I haven’t really done any shopping except for my grandson. I was trying to get into the mood. I like sewing was going to make personalized items. But I have a spiteful landlord who’s looking to sell tha building I live in during Christmas time. In the past she’s accused us of doing things we didn’t do. I’ve written about this. It’s ruined Christmas for me i don’t have anyplace to go? So I’m consumed with thinking about where my family going to go? She could have waited a couple of weeks? Don’t know if the new owners will let us stay? 🌲😒

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to Want2BHappy3]

Whatttttttt yes I agree she could of waited!!!! Out of all the times near the holidays what is wrong with her???? Ughhhh I’m hoping the new owners will let you stay and if they aren’t willing to let you stay at least let you stay until you find something. Not just kick you out

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to UnderstandingMyPain]

I never met them when I moved in. Right off the bat I was given a warning that someone Better be watching my kids while I’m working? The tenants here from time to time get Yelling and threatening letters from them about the trash mess, we believe are caused by the animals, that their going to raise the rent to pay for the mess? (not enough trash cans). My kids and I have been blamed for things we didn’t do. I get anxiety when I see them that I get repairs done on my own for fear they’ll make up something? I think the reason they’ll selling is because next month our city will implement rent control, so they can’t gouge us anymore. I have an appointment with an attorney to find out my rights? Thanks for your support 🌲

[Starrlight in reply to Want2BHappy3]

(((((((Want2BHappy))))) Hug for you and wishing you and your family blessings.

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to Starrlight]

Thank you Star, same to you and your family. Hopefully we’ll have a better year? I’ll pray for us and everybody who is suffering 🌲🙏🏼

[Starrlight in reply to Want2BHappy3]

Yes ❤️

[Spooky99]

Yes!!! And it should just be for children who believe in Santa ( young kids) it gets ridiculous!!! Everyone going crazy , spending what they don’t have! My family did polyannas. Now we just get for the kids. That is stressful enough. It’s nice just to enjoy the holiday and pretty lights. All this material bullshit... giving each other cars on commercials is insane!!!!! Lol. I’d rather help the homeless!!!!!

[bandit09]

Yes! Christmas is very stressful. I can't seem to get excited that much anymore.

[bk18]

Yeah; would prefer to lend a helping hand to someone in need, my kids have more than everything they need since are teens now. Too much commercialism more and more every year. Adds undo stress to the season. Just want to hang out w friends and chill.

[50percentMe]

Dear UnderstandingMyPain - I am always mystified about people's comments around Christmas time: "I hate Christmas" "Christmas is too early, I want to enjoy Thanksgiving", etc, in addition to the list of "I have to ..."

Are you celebrating "Christmas"? Christmas is the joy and celebration of the arrival of a savior for all mankind. When did it because a list of "have to's", stress and burden? If that's what Christmas means, we shouldn't celebrate it. It's so sad that Christmas is viewed this way. When I hear people tell me how "Christmas" has negatively effected their lives, I tell them there is nothing you have to do except be glad we have the opportunity to be saved. If the acknowledgement of our savior is not something to rejoice, there is no need to acknowledge Christmas. You'd be falling into the web of commercialism and the only giving, is giving to businesses to keep them in the black. Christmas is the season for giving, not to be confused with buying. My mother used to stress to the point where Christmas was a high stress, yelling, screaming and blaming time. I refuse to fall into this trap. I enjoy the music, decorations and opportunities to give. You can give without going into financial strain.

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to 50percentMe]

Thank you so very much for your thoughts!!!

[Camo72]

I became I'll last Christmas...I'm slowly feeling like a person instead of a hermit. I have amongst my plethora of health problems, AGORAPHOBIA.

I have no money since being put out of work, no unemployment no SSDI ONE WOULD THINK MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, PTSD,CHRONIC C DIFF, ANXIETY DISORDER, SEIZURES, CHRONIC MIGRAINES...list goes on would have thought I would have gotten my SSDI but I keep praying. 4x turned down is this normal my Doctor's have completed all paperwork and it's there.😥

As far as shopping, My husband does all the grocery store shopping and I just wear clothes until the fall apart, my husband does clothes shopping also.I used to be the shopping queen. Now, I can barely go outdoors. And every one is waiting on those many gifts that will not be coming from me...😔Santa will have to fill in.

So I am with you. The holidays give me such anxiety now

I'm not worried about getting shot, robbed, that's not it. I'm just full of anxiety.

All the time. Maybe being home with those you love and having your own garden like the one my husband made us, its huge. Is the best gifts. We work and eat out of it. Well I do best I can.

Glad I wasn't a Wiseman can you imagine their anxiety 😇

[UnderstandingMyPain in reply to Camo72]

Oh wow Camo! I’m so sorry to hear this. I’m glad you have your husband to help do the shopping