There are a lot of things about Christmas which can stress us out rather than getting us ready for what should be a relaxing holiday. I’ve noticed this recently as I’m in the midst of deadlines ats the holiday season is hotting up. All around me Christmas is blooming, but it feels like I don’t have time to get involved with the festivities.
There’s also the stress of getting the perfect present and piling on a good selection of food on the day. Even decorations info can be stressful, I know a lot of people who spend ages positioning their baubles and tinsel in the perfect places.
I think a lot of this is down to the pressure people put on themselves to make Christmas perfect. It’s only one day which comes once a year so we idealise it. The danger is that we put so much emphasis on making this day the epitome of happiness that we can forget to enjoy it. If you tea my blog for MIND last week, then you’ll know that I’m no exception.
When I was younger my mum sent my brothers and I to take our dog for a walk on Christmas Day. I wasn’t happy! Christmas Day was a time when I shouldn’t have to do anything except open presents. But during the walk everyone we saw said hello. My brothers and I had a nice chat and ended up enjoying it.
What I realised that day is not that walking the dog on Christmas Day is the ideal activity, but that it’s the little things that matter. It’s not that perfectly placed bauble or expensive present that makes Christmas, it’s those memorable little moments that we enjoy with those we love. So take a deep breath and relax – you don’t need to make Chistmas perfect!
Kayleigh Ackerman 