Holidays, happy or otherwise

[Enail]

I wanted to make a holiday-y post, but I kind of hate generic, sappy holiday rah-rah cheer. And, well, holiday season (whether you're celebrating a specific holiday at this time or not, you're probably surrounded by it, and hopefully getting some time off for it) is tough on a lot of people, even the ones who love it. It seems like every kind of stress ramps up - dealing with difficult family, loneliness, pressure to act okay when you're not, expenses, winter, difficulty meeting special food needs, too much Christmas music...  

So, good wishes to everyone, but also a reminder to look after yourselves. Stay hydrated, get some rest, remind yourself it's okay to put your own well-being over expectations, be really kind to yourself. I'm glad to have had you all in my life for another year, and I hope for good things for you all for the year to come.

If you've got any tips on surviving the difficult parts of the holiday season, share 'em here!

[Caffeinated]

I have a tip for surviving the trip to relatives part of the holidays. I bring a good book (or more than one, or best of all several good books loaded onto the kindle) with me, and make sure to take a little time every day to go into a room by myself and just read for a while. It helps recharge my batteries so I'm able to do all the intense socializing that's expected on these visits.

[AmandaFr]

I got very very much balloons and sincere smiles at my birthday ))

[V]

Well Happy Birthday Amanda!

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