tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post2447883935615078402..comments2023-07-04T07:10:54.587-04:00Comments on Thanks for today.: Holiday Stress: How Much is Self-Imposed?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-2245457695153785962010-12-14T11:21:01.183-05:002010-12-14T11:21:01.183-05:00Wonderful advice Jan. I try to keep the holidays a...Wonderful advice Jan. I try to keep the holidays as simple as possible. And also try to keep focus on the Reason for the season, which provides perspective. I also do almost all my shopping online. No crowds or craziness for me. <br />SuzanneWindow On The Prairiehttp://windowontheprairie.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-50273731445733150362010-12-13T07:34:37.478-05:002010-12-13T07:34:37.478-05:00Good advice Jan, I must say I've cut back quit...Good advice Jan, I must say I've cut back quite a bit the past couple of years. And you know what? My family hasn't even complained once. It was all about me pressuring myself. This year I'm just enjoying being with them. :) <br /><br /> P.S. Love the cat napping in the decorations box. lolRacquelhttp://perennialgardener.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-69386868721496194692010-12-12T16:26:58.904-05:002010-12-12T16:26:58.904-05:00How right you are on self imposed stressors. It is...How right you are on self imposed stressors. It is an especially troublesome quirk we women tend to deal with daily. I am going to take a conscientious moment to relax and do what is only important to me. Definitely time to destress not stress!<br /><br />Thanks for your kind offer. If I ever make to Virginia I'll surely email you ahead of time so we can meet you can be sure:)tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-32270301127097360092010-12-10T19:28:20.592-05:002010-12-10T19:28:20.592-05:00Despite your sound advice, I have grown to dread t...Despite your sound advice, I have grown to dread this season, perhaps working in retail has done it for me. I am not so stressed about having the perfect Christmas, but regret the lack of time to enjoy what should be enjoyed or time to make more meaningful gift choices. I look forward to the time after the 25th when I can finally put work behind me and the run-up to the big day is over. Then it is family time.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-84267325004998214912010-12-10T16:02:51.670-05:002010-12-10T16:02:51.670-05:00Jan I can seriously tell you .. I have scaled back...Jan I can seriously tell you .. I have scaled back so much (that I can't actually tell you !! LOL)<br />I'll just say we are having a great turkey dinner .. and that is that !<br />wink wink<br />Joy ..really .. first time in my life we aren't going down that road .. no young kids here and the "management" is still trying to repair herself !CanadianGardenJoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130452541076704075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-73191304326032380032010-12-09T22:39:14.025-05:002010-12-09T22:39:14.025-05:00Your cats are beautiful. Our family had an adopted...Your cats are beautiful. Our family had an adopted Birman that had an accidental litter of 3 kittens, and one of them looked a lot like the one climbing the tree. We kept the kittens and he lived to be 20 years old. He was just like a Ragdoll cat.<br /><br />We've taken a low key approach to the holidays for the last few years and I definitely prefer it.sweetbayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248743114944736346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-9048837993730232142010-12-09T22:00:09.478-05:002010-12-09T22:00:09.478-05:00I'm skipping the madness this year, though I d...I'm skipping the madness this year, though I did promise to make some food for Christmas. After all, this is the time of year where I need more sleep, not less. Glad I'm not alone in considering what makes sense.Town Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777461911856383480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-4465863691755558502010-12-09T21:58:25.758-05:002010-12-09T21:58:25.758-05:00So true! Our main festival is Deewali, and as soon...So true! Our main festival is Deewali, and as soon as it approaches I am filled with a mixture of excitement and dread. There is the pressure of achieving perfection. I want to give the house a perfectly burnished look, but in the process, sometimes, i forget that the Festival is there to be enjoyed and not a competition or some work ritual which one has to get over with.Green thumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02985557905470748245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-69754227450675189082010-12-09T17:07:15.239-05:002010-12-09T17:07:15.239-05:00True, you don't have to do it all.
I find myse...True, you don't have to do it all.<br />I find myself doing less and less each year.<br />This year maybe nothing...getting work done inside the house.Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834331771109216377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-76117207671203143572010-12-09T09:11:22.867-05:002010-12-09T09:11:22.867-05:00Wonderful advice, Jan! I used to be so stressed o...Wonderful advice, Jan! I used to be so stressed out over the holidays when my children were younger because of all the activities and work demands. But now that I'm retired, things have slowed down, though sometimes I think I have no excuse not to have everything perfect for Christmas. This year I'm a little more laid back--somewhat like your sweet cat:) I hope that you have time to enjoy the little things this season, Jan, and have a joyful Christmas!Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384059342847120951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-554364380325691332010-12-08T17:42:43.884-05:002010-12-08T17:42:43.884-05:00Great reminder. I am in full agreement - now to p...Great reminder. I am in full agreement - now to put it into practice! I'm determined to enjoy the time I have left with my kids at home.Garden Sensehttp://www.gardensenses.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-29549508727991387192010-12-08T16:04:15.314-05:002010-12-08T16:04:15.314-05:00Hi Jan..wonderful post..powerful...beautifully wri...Hi Jan..wonderful post..powerful...beautifully written and well said..I so agree...and love living in the spirit and flow of it all..simplicity = magic! Gorgeous photo of the cat on the tree..wow!<br /><br />Have a sparkling day..and thanks so much for your super generous words on my driftwoods...you touched my heart! Thankyou!<br />KikiVictoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09280128561139519596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-74356824616999625992010-12-08T15:49:31.755-05:002010-12-08T15:49:31.755-05:00Gracious words of wisdom Jan. I love the napping a...Gracious words of wisdom Jan. I love the napping and playful kitty illustrating your thoughts. In my opinion perfectionism is a disease that may be cured simply by climbing a tree or taking a nap. Following a kitty around a bit can teach us a good deal. So true it is a shame to rush ahead to one day, while missing precious moments along the way . . . of many other days.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01067132532095325169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-18917575830367718032010-12-08T15:30:43.080-05:002010-12-08T15:30:43.080-05:00I'm about to leave the house to accompany my h...I'm about to leave the house to accompany my husband to the dentist....three root canals.<br /><br />I'll most certainly come back to this post, Jan. It deserves more of my time and I think you've been reading my mind. Love your blog.<br /><br />donnadonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06950476333013336671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-86132344079361323712010-12-08T15:18:48.486-05:002010-12-08T15:18:48.486-05:00A wonderful post Jan and I whole heartedly agree. ...A wonderful post Jan and I whole heartedly agree. I have had willow twigs for a tree for the last 4 years now (same ones) and they look great with the fairy lights and decorations. I like minimal decorations too. <br />I was going to comment on the 'Hat' but got beaten to it ha ha. BUT I did notice that Santa had hung himself from your kitchen ceiling, to much stress for him as well !!!!<br />I'm having a different kind of Christmas this year by helping out in a day centre for the Homeless on Christmas day and again on the 27th Dec.<br />M xMaureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540591998909116816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-17853459039030844072010-12-08T14:32:18.369-05:002010-12-08T14:32:18.369-05:00I love this post Jan. I used to get a wound-up tr...I love this post Jan. I used to get a wound-up trying to make the holidays just so, but after a few life-altering events, and an absurd amount of stress, I've finally learned to 'let go'. I did finally get the tree up yesterday, but the holidays now are more about relaxing, and being together with friends and family. I haven't started shopping yet, and honestly, have decided not to do very much this year. Instead, we've chosen to give the gift of our time to those who need it locally, and best of all, there's no wrapping involved! Wishing you a peaceful, restful holiday season.Curbstone Valley Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06714297348566721344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-36598634812645932072010-12-08T14:20:49.734-05:002010-12-08T14:20:49.734-05:00Thanks for your sweet comments, friends! I have sc...Thanks for your sweet comments, friends! I have scaled back a lot in recent years. But I still have to give myself reminders about what really matters.<br />So many of you commented on the 'hat'! I hadn't even noticed it. I was focused on my face...which looks like I'm going crazy! This is last Christmas prior to making our 'candy house' (the box you see on the kitchen counter served as the base). I couldn't believe what a horrible photo that was of me, but it seemed to fit the theme for this post;-)Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844013803699228989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-19854198322780186912010-12-08T14:06:55.008-05:002010-12-08T14:06:55.008-05:00Dear Jan, There is so much pressure from every qua...Dear Jan, There is so much pressure from every quarter to 'make things perfect', whatever the occasion and it really is, as you say, so unnecessary. Keeping things simple is a path I have always preferred to take and one soon realises that very few things are essential to enjoying the festive season. Good company of family and friends is the most important ingredient.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-90929580268222527272010-12-08T13:57:38.224-05:002010-12-08T13:57:38.224-05:00Good words, Jan!
I use some ways to make it easy: ...Good words, Jan!<br />I use some ways to make it easy: starting making and mailing cards in October or November, buying gifts in advance, not planning many activities for December... DH helps a lot. I don't read magazines with perfect images of a perfect holidays. Our holiday decorations are simple and our table never looks like those in the magazines. I think the fact that our boys love to stay home during the holidays tells a lot. <br />BTW, I love your 'hat' in the first picture! Stay warm and enjoy the Holiday Season!Tatyana@MySecretGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15230255354868127650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-58292975096552179212010-12-08T13:21:19.866-05:002010-12-08T13:21:19.866-05:00You are so right Jan. I tend to get that hurried a...You are so right Jan. I tend to get that hurried and stressed out feeling and then I have to step back and re-evaluate things. I then let some things just go and if they get done OK but no big loss if not. Thank you for this reminder and maybe we can all enjoy it a whole lot more.Becca's Dirthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18245107413671341365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-59636421784912245092010-12-08T12:51:47.553-05:002010-12-08T12:51:47.553-05:00Great advice Jan and a good reminder for us to foc...Great advice Jan and a good reminder for us to focus on what is really important in life. I've been so busy this year that I don't even have my tree up yet (but starting it today). I'm not going to stress out about it though.<br /><br />PS - Love the light fixture above head. At quick glance I thought you were actually wearing a hat. LOL I once had a picture taken of me with a feathers coming out of my head from a nearby flower arrangement. Too funny!Ellie Mae's Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13889959606127833480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-89527242885144294882010-12-08T12:37:41.250-05:002010-12-08T12:37:41.250-05:00Wonderful, wonderful post, Jan! I, too, have alwa...Wonderful, wonderful post, Jan! I, too, have always been of the Christmas-must-be-perfect camp, and I have relaxed (a bit) over the past few years and focused on what's really important. Thanks for the very timely reminder!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-59945718989556913522010-12-08T12:26:46.599-05:002010-12-08T12:26:46.599-05:00Oh Jan, I am way ahead of you on this train of tho...Oh Jan, I am way ahead of you on this train of thought. I refused to bring all of the decorations up from the basement...I decorated very little and it is so cozy without the crowded feeling.....love the lamp on your head!Darlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09976608531478457839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-11003721267402761932010-12-08T12:12:37.929-05:002010-12-08T12:12:37.929-05:00Words that are so very true. I like the images of ...Words that are so very true. I like the images of your cat to illustrate your points. The one up the tree is how I feel often.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651081377378962304.post-28607696163778053872010-12-08T11:48:53.997-05:002010-12-08T11:48:53.997-05:00This is a good reminder that we need to look at wh...This is a good reminder that we need to look at what we do impose on ourselves. Cards and baking are two things that always make me stressed out. Both are definitely self imposed. I've already decided that I'm okay with not getting cards out this year, if I do find time I'll do it, but it's very low on my list of what "needs" to be done. Just having time to spend with my family and having that time be fun is much more important.Catherine@AGardenerinProgresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001060769253273283noreply@blogger.com