To feel so much better now November and December have gone.

[Netcurtainnelly]

Anyone else feel so much relief that November and December have gone?

So much pressure and expectations in December and especially around Christmas. The cards, the presents, putting the tree up and down, when to etc. The family expectations, the food. Even if that dosent personally affect you, you know its still going on around you. You hear about it. No Christmas adverts either.

Sight of relief its all over for another year.
Even just scolling social media feels better, no reference or pics of Christmas lunches, concerts, fetes, present appeals n their many.

Just noticed how I love walking into shops and all the cards, wrapping paper, and the Christmas music has gone.
😀

I love Christmas but also enjoy the calm of January. Not having to think of and buy presents, not hosting anything, fewer social engagements. I also like that we're heading towards lighter days, feels very positive.

But you can notice it but still not do anything.

People talk about 'the pressure' as if it's an irresistible force that compels you into doing things you don't want to do against your will, which I really don't understand.

Surely you do the things you want to do and ignore what you're not interested in?

Amazing, isn't it? No more listening to Mariah Carey or Noddy fecking Holder when you're buying bread and milk. The volume of Christmas tat depresses me, but it's rapidly being replaced with Valentine's tat and Easter tat. The nights are getting shorter though and in a coiuple of weeks we'll see a real difference.

January is marvellous. November and December can do one.

Perhaps if you live on your own and have no close family. I am one of 5 people in this house. The other four want the Christmas tree and the turkey and all the shite which goes with it.

You would have to sit in the house with the curtains drawn, no telly and no radio, never leaving, to avoid everything Christmas related. From about the 1st September.

I don't mind January. We had a really great Christmas, but I was happy to see it go.

This is the first year in quite a few that I am feeling optimistic (last January I was having chemo!)

I'm using this time to:
Organise stuff at home and do a clear out
Work on my fitness and see my PT once a week (gained a lot of weight through treatment I want to lose, and generally to feel stronger)
Practice new meals to add more variety into our diets
Use my remaining annual leave - I'm taking myself to London to go to an exhibition at the V&A next month
Find more non-screen based hobbies - trying reformer Pilates next week and we've got some new board games to play
Save some money!