Harried Holiday
December 23, 2021
And just like that, it’s almost Christmas. Yeah, holiday harried. That’s what we become — year after year. We rhetorically ask ourselves and anyone who will listen “How is it Christmas already? Where did the year go?” We know where it went — we just can’t believe it.
The year went by with work, errands, obligations, plans with the occasional nap thrown in for good measure. We’ve calendared and scheduled our days into endless hour blocks that never seem to un-chunk themselves. We cook and clean and lauder our minutes into the past. We sleep and shower and get dressed endlessly. On repeat. Every. Day.
Is this rut or routine? Should we assign meaning and feelings to this mundane-ness of daily life? Perhaps it’s not something to begrudge — but instead to be grateful for.
How many people would kill (not appropriate wording, but used all the time) for a simple, routine life? How many people would die (again, not appropriate because they really don’t want to die) for a life of rut and to-do’s? Many. Many. Many.
Yet…it doesn’t take away the sting of boredom and feeling of overwhelm. The passage of time without pause is a thorn to so many of us. We want to be present. We want to slow down and enjoy life more. We don’t want to be rushing, constantly, trying to get things done. Because there is always something to get “done.” Done is never done. It just morphs itself into a new shape, a new list item, a new obligation to fulfill.
So what do we do about all this? I was thinking the other day, how every year, when the holidays roll around, I don’t really get to enjoy them much. I’m too busy planning for them instead of playing with them. I let myself be run over by all that I need to do, instead of all that I want to do. I see tourists come to NYC to relish in the lights, “the” Tree, the shows, the food, the shopping. And what do I do as a resident of this busy city? I continue on with my routines — paying no mind to the magic that lights up these cold streets. Sure, I pass by the occasional store window, dressed in her holiday best. And I pause and take a picture or two, and then double step my way into the next moment. But I rarely set aside the time to step off my path and take a fresh look.
I had a thought the other day — next year (isn’t it always Next Year?), I’m going to enjoy the holiday beauty that NYC is famous for. I’m going to make a list, check it twice, and schedule myself into that winter wonder known as Christmas.
Yup. That will do it. It comes back to the schedule. See what I mean?
Merry Christmas Everyone!
