Saturday, December 14, 2013

Sunday Reflections: Seasonal Depression

My kid sister Annie and me at the extended family Christmas party

I gots me a case of Christmas blues. I have a headache, backache, and stomachache. The poor air quality has me coughing and sneezing. It's freezing cold and the sun goes down before 6pm every night. Not to mention trying to drive in this horrible, icy weather on my way to my dreaded retail job so I can pay off our $200 gas bill. I do love playing in the snow for a while, but it gets old fast. What's a seasonally depressed guy to do?


Ava loves snow globes, so cute! This one leaked all over moments later.


Thank goodness Christmas is this time of year! Though even Christmas can be depressing if you get too caught up in the commercial side of things. Spending time with my family and friends certainly lifts my spirits, as well as contemplating the true meaning of Christmas. Hot cocoa and a nice warm fire can't hurt either. 

Just another cheesy family photo

What do you do to overcome that bah humbug feeling?

14 comments:

  1. I don't over come it. I don't do Christmas anymore. I never get invited to parties so I don't have the stress of bringing a present. I don't have to brave the malls either which is my idea of Hell on Earth.

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    1. I don't understand mall shopping. Some people actually enjoy it! As for gifts at party I only really like white elephants, something funny and silly that you can grab for cheap of free from stuff you already own.

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  2. We don't buy presents for anyone we don't want to. And if we can't afford it for the ones we do, we don't care either. That takes all the stress out of it right there ;)
    I think if you have a heart grasp on what it is we are truly making a whole season's celebration out of then all the commercial hooplah doesn't even factor. I love Christmas time :)
    Wise men still seek Him ;) The ultimate gift!

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    1. I'm all for that! I hate feeling obligated to spend wads of cash on presents when half the time people don't even want anything. The gift of the Christ Child and the gift of time are far better, though there's nothing wrong with a thoughtful money bought gift.

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  3. I spend as much time with the kiddies as I can. Playing games, building forts, whatever. I also watch comedies with my wife. That tends to help a bit. Some hot chocolate and a good funny movie. But what helps most is just keeping busy. I write, find stuff to do around the house. Though I must admit it becomes harder every year to 'enjoy' Christmas. The whole present buying process is a job in it self... and I grow weary of it and what it does to people.

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    1. Great ideas! Christmas really is about spending good quality time with family. This is the first year we've had a good sized tree, because now we have the space. I wanna spend Christmas Eve decorating the tree with my family while we sip hot chocolate and enjoy fresh baked treats.

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  4. I'm right there with you Mason, but I do think it's a season thing, not a Christmas thing. For me it's just been feeling kind of blah in the midst of all the holiday festivities. But It's good to try to squeeze the enjoyment out of whatever you can... and having a beautiful family certainly helps with that!

    And no joke, sometimes it helps to talk to somebody professionally, when all else seems to fail. Sometimes feeling down isn't just something you can pull yourself up by your boot-straps from. That could be your doctor, or someone from your church, someone who can help you put your feelings in perspective. Writing on your blog is a good outlet for letting you express the issue, but sometimes that isn't enough. I hope you start to get over your blah-humbugs, and I hope you enjoy your holiday season!

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    1. Loved your Creepmas countdown by the way!

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    2. Thanks Geek, some good advice indeed. I think the whole being dirt poor thing is what's got me down the most. I'm planning on talking to my church's employee ment specialist to see if I can find a better job. I don't interview well. :P

      I'm glad you enjoyed the Creepmas countdown! It was a lot of fun. I was gonna Lear up the Creepmas tree through Christmas, but after seeing some nice traditional trees I think we'll redecorate the tree for Christmas

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  5. Buy toys! Haha, just kidding. Kinda.

    I hear ya though. Here in Chicago the weather is awful during the winter. I've already had MORE than my fill of snow and it's not even technically winter yet. I'd like to just fast forward to spring.

    Despite the seasonal blahs, hope you have an enjoyable holiday, Mason.

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    1. Haha, I like the buy toys idea!

      I am already so done with the cold! It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for our faulty radiant heating that costs a fortune and still doesn't heat the house properly. The one nice thing about the snow is it makes for some nice toy photo ops, which I see you've taken advantage of, as have I.

      I hope you're enjoying the holiday season as well, stay warm!

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  6. It's tough this time of year because you know your suppose to be all cheerful and excited but with all the stress plus how reflective we tend to get but i always try and find little things that make me smile or focus on trying doing some nice things for people it really helps.

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    1. Yeah, it can get just plain crazy this time of year! Performing little acts of kindness for others, now that's the perfect holiday activity!

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  7. I just wanna say thank you to everyone that chimed in on this Sunday Reflection. Sometimes I think no one's gonna wanna hear about certain topics and I almost didn't post about the holiday blues, but I'm glad I did!

    You all helped so much more than you can know and my Christmas spirits have really been lifted!

    I want to wish you all a Happy Hannuka, A Creepy Creepmas, A Merry Christmas, a Happy Kwanza, and a Happy New Year! And if you're not the religious type a very happy Festivas for the rest of us and Happy Holidays!

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