A Better Christmas

I’ve written many times, about my aversions to Christmas. But this year I’m not dreading it as much. I’m going to make it better.

There’s a big project in the schedule, for December, a revamp of Salesforce that I’m helping with at work, which should take my mind off it. That’s how I managed last year, burying myself in the Information Hub until Christmas Eve.

My writing group, once again, is pulling out all the stops, for some Christmas themed challenges, which I’m looking forward to. November is also a good time for writing, with NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month, where people write a 50,000 word draft of a first novel in November. There’s a flash fiction version, which is a lot calmer, and I’m saving some prompts for Christmas, if we run out. Last year the Advent writing challenge didn’t cover the week between Christmas and New Year, so I’m saving some. I’ve also seen some Christmas themed writing competitions lately, which I will probably enter.

I’m doing my shopping in bits, and mostly online. And if I do need to enter busy shopping centres, it will be in moderation. I will probably go to town and pick up some smaller items, but these will be shops I enjoy visiting, and know I can take breaks and hide in a Costa.

Which brings me to the next point. Costa are having their Christmas drinks, once again, and I will shelter in their shops and enjoy their coffee, slices of quiet time I need.

I recently bought a few Norse items, to make the season my own. I found a Norse based jumper on Etsy, and some viking warrior decorations for the tree. I’ve hung these up in my bedroom, and will add my mini gingerbread house soon, and put my small snowmen up.

I always buy a present for myself, for making it through the year, and its a small tradition I like doing.

We’ve got our annual Christmas concert, for wind band, which I’m looking forward to.

We have a few Christmas events at work, which should be fun, as long as I don’t overthink the secret Santa. And with the dinner, I will stick to my old habit, of only taking on the amount of food I can manage.

I am also going to try to stick to some routines, to set some boundaries. Mainly around food, but also around socialising. I will try to schedule moments of quiet, where I can be by myself, moments to recharge my batteries, even if its small ways. I will try to keep up headspace, and my little victories, and I will see how that goes.

I will try to not get frustrated with Christianity. I probably won’t attend any services. And if my mum does force me, I have excuses, like walking the dog. That worked well last time. The only problem is the ones on TV, but those are more music based.

So far, the depression doesn’t seem to be rearing its head this time. Perhaps because the old Moorfields wound is healing. Perhaps there’s been time, and my life is on track, and I have a diagnosis, and writing this Moorfields based novella has helped.

Sure, the season still causes me some struggles. But this year, I will make it a better experience.