Beating the Holiday Blues: Put yourself in the mood!

The holidays can be festive and wonderful, but for anyone who is going through a difficult time in December, this time of year can be unbearable. Last year, I was separated from my husband and everywhere I looked was a reminder of a life I wasn't going to have. I blame Facebook. Most of my friends on Facebook are from high school and college and they're married, with 1-2 kids, and in perfect houses. Seeing their status updates about great their holidays were was one thing, seeing pictures was so difficult! I should have just stayed away from Facebook, but I like to torture myself. Haha.

This year things are a little different and I have a lot to be thankful for (divorced, seeing a wonderful guy, house debt paid off, have my own place, great friends), so why am I battling the holiday blues? I'm just reflecting on the past year, how much has happened, and thinking to myself how much time I wasted/how stupid I was to spend it with my ex. I'm so irritated that my life has gotten "off track" and I feel like I'm playing catch up. However, I can't let those thoughts get to me. I have to take each day as it comes and enjoy it for what it is.

I want to dedicate this week's blog posts to beating the holiday blues. I think the first step is to put oneself in the mood. My apartment is decorated, but I haven't stepped back to appreciate it. Today when I got home from the grocery store, I turned on the lights, lit some candles (love the Almond Cookie and Sparkling Vanilla scents from Yankee Candle), and cranked up some Christmas carols. Later on, I plan on wrapping some presents and enjoying some sweets while watching a Christmas movie. I love White Christmas, but watched that last weekend. I'm thinking the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol unless I find something better on TV.

I hope this series of posts will help you or someone you know. A word of caution about getting into the holiday spirit--there is too much of a good thing. I just had to turn off the Christmas music because it was getting to be too much. I was either going to break down and cry or throw something at the TV--2 things I don't want to happen! However, I'm still happy and enjoying the moment minus the Christmas tunes.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post: Expectations are Pre-meditated Resentments.