For me, the entirety of December feels like a mad rush to get as much done before the holidays as possible.
Now, I never noticed it so much as child, but once I reached adulthood, it only seems to get busier!
Well, save for that stretch during the COVID pandemic at its peak.
I have so many events that overlap and pile up during the week that it’s a struggle to assign coverage accordingly.
So, while I’m not the boss of this operation, I am very fortunate to be in charge of a digital event calendar for the entire household.
It’s gotten to the point where I’ve run out of color choices to designate personal and business priorities.
I might make my own life a little simpler and assign colors to just things I’m going to cover versus things for the parents to handle.
Of course, at this late in the game, it’s a moot point - so I’m going to have to explore the possibilities sometime next year.
Still, we can’t clone ourselves and be everywhere at once.
I know that it’s a difficult concept to explain to folks that see us out and about at various events – but there are only three of us doing the work for this newspaper.
And don’t get me started on what happens if someone informs us too late in the day to attend a function!
Ideally, we need to know about events at least a week in advance and three days if it’s a last-minute gig.
But, whenever someone calls the morning of an afternoon event, I have to let them down gently while also thanking of them for taking the time to call us.
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed another disturbing trend during the holiday season besides over-scheduling events and celebrations.
Sadly, it seems like people have gotten ruder and take out their frustrations and stress on others rather than evaluating themselves in the first place.
And it really isn’t even an in your face rudeness – I’ve even seen it happen on roadways or social media.
With as many people touting the “reason for the season” and claiming to exemplify kindness, grace and joy – there are just as many folks doing the opposite.
I get it, it’s a stressful time with inflation, personal or family issues and being constantly pushed to buy the latest and greatest hot item of the moment to keep up with the Jonses.
But, we have to take some time for ourselves and reflect accordingly and to try and remember that every other person we interact with in life has similar burdens or more on their own shoulders.
I’m not trying to sound preachy or say that I’m better than everyone else – I’m not!
I just know that I have to also carve out time on a personal level and make sure that I don’t overwhelm myself and get burnt out or exhausted.
I also know that there are a lot of folks who struggle more than usual to do the same thing this time of year and I hope that they can find some peace during this holiday season.
